Take unwanted vape juice and devices to a household hazardous-waste collection program. Keep nicotine liquid out of trash, recycling, sinks, toilets, and storm drains.
Do not open a pod or disposable vape to recover the liquid. Nicotine can poison people and animals, while many devices also contain lithium batteries.
Store Vape Liquid Safely Until Collection
Keep e-liquid in its original, closed, labeled container. Store it upright, away from heat, and out of the sight and reach of children and pets.
Keep children and pets away from a leaking container. Do not move or repackage it until your household hazardous-waste program or local hazardous-materials official gives instructions.
Do not mix vape liquid with coffee grounds, cat litter, soil, or another absorbent for disposal. That does not remove nicotine or make the waste acceptable everywhere.
Use Household Hazardous Waste
EPA tells individuals to take e-cigarettes to household hazardous-waste collection. Call first because appointment, residency, quantity, and packaging rules vary.
Vape Waste Collection Call Script
I have [bottled e-liquid, pods, cartridges, disposable vapes, or a reusable device]. The quantity is [amount]. There is [no known damage, a leak, or damage].
The battery is [manufacturer-removable, built in, absent, or unknown]. Can you accept the liquid and devices in one visit?
What packaging, transport, appointment, residency, and quantity rules should I follow before bringing them?
Follow the program’s transport instructions rather than mailing or dismantling items on your own.
Keep Devices Out of Trash and Recycling
Vapes can contain both nicotine and lithium batteries. EPA says they should not go in household trash or recycling because they can harm workers and damage equipment.
Do not drop a disposable vape into a curbside battery bin unless the program accepts complete devices. Its battery may be difficult or unsafe to remove.
For a reusable device with a manufacturer-removable battery, ask the collection program whether to bring the battery separately. Keep the terminal-protection and packaging directions program-specific.
Respond to a Spill or Exposure
Avoid touching spilled e-liquid. Keep children and pets away, and follow the product label or poison-control instructions for cleanup and exposure.
FDA says to wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse splashed eyes with water, and seek medical attention when advised.
In the United States, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for e-liquid exposure or ingestion. Call emergency services immediately for severe symptoms or an emergency.
Handle Business Waste Differently
EPA’s household advice is for individuals. Retailers, schools, workplaces, collection sites, and other organizations may have different hazardous-waste duties.
Do not apply household drop-off instructions to commercially generated nicotine waste without checking the rules for that organization and location.
Check the Whole Vape Setup
Gather bottles, caps, pods, cartridges, devices, and chargers so the collection program can identify each part. Keep loose pieces away from children and pets.
For a removable vape battery, use our guide to disposing of vape batteries. Confirm that its receiver accepts your exact battery type.