A loose vape battery and an intact vape are different waste items. Recycle a removable battery through an accepting battery program, while EPA recommends household hazardous waste for complete e-cigarettes.
Neither belongs in household trash or curbside recycling. Do not pry open a sealed vape to reach an embedded battery.
Start With the Whole Device
Check the manual or manufacturer instructions. Determine whether the battery is designed to be removed without opening, puncturing, or dismantling the device.
If the battery is embedded, leave the device intact. EPA warns that trying to remove an embedded battery or cartridge can cause a fire.
An intact vape may also contain nicotine liquid. That residue changes the handoff because nicotine is toxic and should not enter drains or ordinary bins.
Handle a Removable Battery Separately
Remove the battery only if the manufacturer designed it for routine removal and the battery is cool, dry, and undamaged.
Cover exposed terminals with nonconductive tape while keeping the label visible, or place each battery in its own plastic bag.
Take it to a specialized battery recycler, a participating retailer, or a household hazardous waste program that accepts its chemistry and condition.
Call or use the program’s locator before arrival. A collection box may accept ordinary lithium-ion cells but exclude damaged or defective batteries.
Take an Intact Vape to Household Hazardous Waste
EPA strongly recommends household hazardous waste collection for consumer e-cigarettes because they contain lithium batteries and may contain nicotine.
Ask whether the program accepts disposable vapes, refillable devices, pods, cartridges, and loose batteries. Keep each category separate if the program requests it.
Do not rinse cartridges or pour nicotine liquid down a drain. Do not ship a vape unless an authorized program provides compliant instructions.
Get Help With a Damaged Battery
A swollen, punctured, leaking, crushed, wet, recalled, or unusually hot battery needs specific instructions from the manufacturer or local household hazardous waste program.
Do not place a damaged battery in an ordinary retail collection box. The Battery Network locator states that damaged batteries require special handling.
If a battery is smoking or burning, move away, keep others back, and call 911 from a safe place.
Store It Briefly While You Arrange the Handoff
Turn off the device if it has a power button. Keep it away from heat, flames, metal objects, children, and pets.
Place each intact device in its own plastic bag unless the receiving program gives different instructions.
Do not build up a large household collection. Confirm a receiver and deliver the items using its current directions.
Keep Household and Business Waste Separate
This article covers consumer vape waste from a household. Vape shops, schools, workplaces, and collection programs have separate hazardous-waste and transport duties.
For the liquid itself, see how to dispose of vape juice. For other cells, see lithium battery disposal.