e-cigarettes/e-cig/vapes

What?

An electronic cigarette is an electronic device that simulates tobacco smoking but with fewer toxins, in lower amounts, than cigarette smoke. It consists of an atomizer, a power source such as a battery, and a container such as a cartridge or tank. Instead of smoke, the user inhales vapor. Thery can be single use or have rechargable batteries.

Where?

This should be brought to a WEEE dropoff recycling point or Civic Amenity Site, check the waste services locator on this site.

Vapes can be returned to the store you bought it from.

Why?

When you recycle anything with a plug or a battery you are helping to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Electrical items generally contain hazardous components and therefore need to be disposed of correctly. By recycling you are also helping to conserve natural resources such as plastics, glass and metals as they are recovered for use again in industry.

General Comment / Tip

It’s easy to check if an electrical item, toy or game is recyclable if it reached the end of its working life. Simply ask the following questions and if the answer is yes, to any of these, it is recyclable: Does it have a plug? Does it use batteries? Does it need charging? Does it have a picture of a crossed out wheelie bin on it?

UPDATE – DECECMBER 2022

WEEE Ireland facilitates the collective take back of this e-waste for free recycling via our Blue Battery Box System.

Disposable, single-use, rechargeable vape and/or e-cigarette devices can contain batteries and are EEE products (Electronic and Electrical Equipment) both of which should be recycled when they reach the end of life. WEEE Ireland facilitates the collective take back of this e-waste for free recycling via our Blue Battery Box System.

Retailers of Vapes & E-Cigarette Devices:

• Retailers are obliged to take back disposable, single-use, rechargeable vape and/or e-cigarette devices on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis in-store or on delivery
• Retailers can recycle these waste devices in WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes
• Retailers can request delivery and collection of Blue Battery Boxes here
• Newsagents can order delivery and collection of Blue Battery Boxes directly from Newspread

Consumers and users of Vapes & E-Cigarette Devices:

• End-of-life disposable, single-use, rechargeable vape and/or e-cigarette devices can be recycled for free wherever you see WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes
• The crossed-out ‘wheelie bin’ symbol on these products highlights that they should never be placed in household waste for disposal, rather they should be recycled
• Rechargeable vaping and e-cigarette devices can be recycled correctly if the Tank is removed prior to recycling
• You’ll find WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes in most newsagents, supermarkets, electrical retailers and Local Authority Recycling Centres/Civic Amenity Sites