How to Dispose of Vape Batteries?

Many of the components of a vape pen are considered hazardous waste, so there are specific regulations for handling the waste products of a vape pen.

Read on to learn more about how to dispose of vape batteries and other vape parts.

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How to Dispose of Vape Batteries

The battery is the essential part of a vape pen. These batteries provide the heat source that allows vapor to develop.

The batteries in a vape pen are commonly rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are considered hazardous e-waste.

If you need to dispose of vape batteries, it is recommended to contact your local government. They will be able to tell you their policies and procedures for disposal.

Often, communities have events for disposing of e-waste and other hazardous products you can attend.

It is okay to store the vape batteries you need to dispose of until you have collected a few. Keep your batteries in a cool, dry place to ensure there is no damage to the battery or fire hazard.

It can feel intimidating to take apart the vape pen to replace the battery.

If you are not comfortable replacing the battery yourself, you can always take your vape pen with you to the smoke shop or vape store.

The associates will be able to help you with your battery.

Types of Vape Batteries

There are a few different kinds of vape batteries. The most common type of battery is the 18650 battery.

This battery is larger than a standard AAA battery and produces up to 75 watts of power.

The 20700 and 21700 varieties of vape batteries are becoming more common. These batteries look similar to the 18650 but perform at an even higher level.

The 20700 and 21700 batteries are also larger than the 18650.

Vape pens can come with rechargeable or disposable batteries. You may also have a push-button vape that has a “draw-activated” battery.

Refer to your vape pen to see what kind of batteries it contains.

Are Vape Batteries Hazardous?

All varieties of vape batteries contain their own level of danger.

It is essential to contact your local government to understand how to dispose of vape batteries, so you don’t start a fire or cause other damage.

Disposable Batteries

Disposable batteries should not be disposed of in the trash.

These batteries can present a fire hazard when tossed into the regular trash or recycling bin.

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries must be turned into a hazardous waste facility for disposal.

It is illegal to dispose of rechargeable vape batteries in the trash.

Push-Button Vape Pen Batteries

Vape pens that operate with a push-button versus a draw-activated vape pen have a unique hazard if the pen is not turned off.

If the pen is not turned off and the button is pushed when it is in your pocket or purse, it will heat up.

Vape pens can reach a temperature of between 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. This can easily ignite paper and melt fabric to cause personal injury.

Vape pens present a few hazards to be aware of when using and disposing of the different components of a vape pen.

How Long Do Vape Batteries Last?

Vape batteries carry an impressive lifespan, making the complicated process of disposing of vape batteries more feasible.

Standard 18650 batteries produce about 10 to 13 hours of vaping in one charging cycle.

The average vape pen battery will produce about 250 full-charge cycles and an additional 250 cycles at increasingly reduced power.

You should anticipate replacing your vape battery about once or twice a year, depending on the frequency of use.

Eventually, after about 500 complete charges, the batteries themselves will wear out. How long they take to wear out will depend on how often and how strongly you use the vape pen.

You should also replace the vape battery if you see any damage or peeling exterior.

Another sign you should change the battery is that the battery is taking longer to charge than usual.

If the battery feels hot to the touch when charging, it may also be time to retire that vape battery.

Cost of Vape Batteries

Regular users of a vape pen should expect to change their vape battery once or twice a year.

How often you change the battery really depends on your individual vaping habits.

Things like how long and powerful your drag is will determine battery life.

Purchasing a new vape battery will cost about $10 per battery. Your vape may require two batteries, making the total cost of vape batteries about $20 or $25 each time.

How to Charge a Vape

A vape pen is a powerful object that can handle a lot of wattages.

Each vape pen will come with its own charging cord and AC adapter.

It is vital to use the charging cord that comes with the pen to avoid starting a fire or damaging other electronics in a power surge.

It is essential not to leave your vape charging overnight or keep it charging for long intervals unattended. A vape battery is powerful and can generate a lot of heat.

Also, leaving it charging for too long puts unnecessary stress on an already hard-working battery.

Most vape batteries only need about one to four hours to reach a full charge and should be unplugged.

Look for a green indicator light that tells you to stop charging and a red light that will tell you it’s time to charge.

Never charge a vape with a laptop cord, cell phone cord, or another type of charging the battery.

At the very least, it will not produce enough power to charge your vape.

There is also a risk the vape’s powerful battery could impact the charging cord or attached device.

Disposing of Other Parts of a Vape

Here’s what to do with the other parts of a vaping device.

Juice

Vape juice is the solution containing tobacco or cannabis, flavorings, and other chemicals to produce the inhaled vapor.

The juice comes in a one to four-ounce plastic bottle and can be poured into the vape pen reservoir.

Bottles containing juices with nicotine are hazardous if they fall into the wrong hands.

It is best to contact your local government to understand how to dispose of full or partially full vape juice bottles.

Cartridges and Pods

A vape cartridge is a glass, ceramic, or plastic cylinder containing the juice needed to make water vapor.

A vape pod is a flat rectangle versus the cylindrical design of a cartridge. Pods are more portable and compact than cartridges.

These cartridges and pods should never be disposed of in regular trash or recycling.

Any object containing nicotine substances is hazardous and must be disposed of through the proper channels, so others are not at risk.

Cannabis Vape Components

Any component of a cannabis vape pen must be discarded simply in the trash.

A local waste management service cannot process an illegal drug. Vape products with cannabis are commonly identified by a green cross or marijuana leaf.

Improper Disposal

There are several risks involved with the improper disposal of vape batteries and other vape components.

Nicotine and cannabis are dangerous if the person interacting with the substance is not aware they are being exposed.

If nicotine is ingested or absorbed through the skin, it can cause illness and discomfort in others. Cannabis ingested by children can cause severe illness and injury.

Always remember to keep these products out of reach of children and other vulnerable people.

Vape pens are a powerful tool for those who want to inhale nicotine and cannabis products.

With the rise in vaping popularity, there is even more reason to understand how to dispose of vape batteries properly.

The best thing you can do when you want to dispose of vape batteries is to contact your local government. They are here to help you understand their household hazardous waste policy.

Products with cannabis should simply be discarded in the trash, isolated from other trash.

Not disposing of vape batteries properly puts other people at risk.

Simply tossing disposable or rechargeable batteries in the trash can spark fires.

Vape batteries should always be stored in a cool, dry place and disposed of in an authorized household hazardous waste facility.

Expect to change your vape batteries once or twice a year, based on your vaping habits.

How Do Vape Pens Work?

Vaping is the practice of inhaling water vapor produced by a vape pen. The water vapor contains tobacco, cannabis, and enticing fruit or dessert-like flavors.

A battery powers a heat source often called an “atomizer.” The atomizer turns the vape pen juice into vapor so it can be inhaled.

The “juice” is what holds the tobacco, cannabis, flavorings, and other chemicals.

Some vape pens have a push button, which is exactly as it sounds. The vapor begins to heat for you to inhale once you push the button.

However, some vape pens are “draw-activated.” This means they function more to mimic the natural inhalation of a cigarette. Every time you inhale, you activate the battery.

Every vape pen operates differently, as there is no one patented design. When learning how to dispose of vape batteries, it is recommended to refer directly to your vape pen.

Summary

Vaping continues to be on the rise for individuals looking for an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. This cigarette smoking alternative was introduced around 2007.

This modern trend is becoming popular, so it’s essential to know how to dispose of vape batteries properly.

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