International E-Waste Day: Every e-cigarette counts

Tuesday, 14 October 2025 marks the eighth International E-Waste Day. On this day, people around the world will be reminded of the importance of recycling electrical appliances.

In Switzerland, the focus will be on the disposal of e-cigarettes. In addition to iron, copper, aluminium and plastics, vapes also contain critical raw materials such as nickel, cobalt and lithium, which are indispensable for the energy transition. With every e-cigarette disposed of correctly, consumers help to recover these valuable materials and thus reduce dependence on primary raw materials to a certain extent.

‘Critical raw materials’ in e-cigarettes

Nickel, cobalt and lithium are crucial for the energy transition. However, they are not only found in batteries for electric cars, wind turbines and solar panels, but also in everyday items such as electric toothbrushes, toy drones and e-cigarettes. As a result, global demand for these raw materials is rising rapidly. No wonder they are on everyone's lips. They are often classified as ‘rare earths’. But what is true for cobalt does not apply to lithium. Lithium is actually the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust. Nevertheless, the three raw materials have a lot in common: most of them are mined under problematic conditions – either in crisis areas or with massive consequences for the environment or the communities living there. The term ‘critical raw materials’ is therefore unfortunately apt. All three elements are indispensable for the future, but they pose major challenges for the environment and society.

E-cigarettes in the spotlight on International E-Waste Day 2025

This year's International E-Waste Day, which was first held by the WEEE Forum in 2018, is dedicated to the issue of “critical raw materials”. As a founding member, SENS eRecycling also participates in this global campaign every year. In 2025, the focus in Switzerland will be on e-cigarettes. In addition to iron, copper, aluminium and plastics, they contain small amounts of nickel, cobalt and lithium, which recycling companies recover in the form of black mass. Even though the proportion of this ‘black gold’ in a single e-cigarette is small, its significance becomes clear when you consider the large quantity of e-cigarettes processed: Batrec, a recycling company in Wimmis specialising in batteries and e-cigarettes, currently processes 60 tonnes per year.

Every correctly disposed e-cigarette counts

‘The more critical raw materials such as nickel, cobalt and lithium we recover from e-cigarettes and other electrical devices, the less primary raw materials need to be mined in countries where these resources are found,’ explains Pasqual Zopp, Managing Director of SENS eRecycling. ‘We are already very well positioned in Switzerland when it comes to traditional recycling. The real challenge now is to further optimise the recovery of critical raw materials, especially rare technology metals. If we succeed in doing so, we will strengthen the circular economy, reduce our dependence on distant countries and at the same time prevent pollutants from entering the environment.’ In e-cigarettes, these pollutants include nickel and cobalt compounds as well as the nicotine contained in the liquids.

Disposing of e-cigarettes correctly: it's that easy

Empty e-cigarettes, vapes or ‘vaporisers’ can be recycled anywhere in Switzerland where they are sold. This includes kiosks, petrol stations and e-cigarette shops. They can also be handed in free of charge at SENS eRecycling public collection points. However, the easiest way to dispose of empty e-cigarettes is via vape recycling bags: these can be ordered free of charge to your home and, once full, returned free of charge to SENS eRecycling by post. To do this, simply place the filled bags in your letterbox in a clearly visible position.

Social media campaign

You may already be familiar with Flamingo Rio, Elephant Ama and Lemur Kai: these three animals are currently raising awareness on social media about the critical raw materials nickel, cobalt and lithium, and are jointly calling for the recycling of e-cigarettes.

Three animals champion recycling

What do a flamingo, an elephant and a lemur have to do with recycling e-cigarettes? The mining of lithium, cobalt and nickel can threaten their habitat. If more e-cigarettes and other electrical devices are correctly sent for e-recycling, the amount of primary materials that are mined can be reduced – benefiting the animals and their environment.