Vapes – how to properly dispose of exhausted devices

Recyclable materials instead of waste

Sales of e-cigarettes (vapes) have increased significantly in Switzerland over the last few years. On average, 10 million vapes are imported into Switzerland each year. Most of them end up in landfill with general waste instead of being recycled, However, e-cigarettes are electrical equipment that must be disposed of properly. This is because e-cigarettes contain a large number of recyclable materials that should be put back into circulation. At the same time, however, they are also highly inflammable and contain heavy metals, which are harmful for the environment. In response to this trend, SENS eRecycling has worked with the leading importers and retailers to devise an industry solution for environmentally friendly disposal of e-cigarettes. Used vapes can be disposed of properly free of charge at all vape shops, collection points or by post with the vape recycling bag.

The easy way to return vapes

The industry solution finances the recycling of e-cigarettes through the advance recycling contribution (ARC), which is already levied at the time of purchase. Used vapes can subsequently be returned free of charge at any sales outlet. 

SENS eRecycling has also launched the Vape Recycling Bag. Consumers can order a Vape Recycling Bag directly to their homes, making it easier to dispose of their empty vapes. Simply leave the filled bags in the letter box for collection – and Swiss Post will deliver them straight to the recycling point.

Recover secondary materials, eliminate hazardous substances

E-cigarettes contain lithium batteries. The advantage of lithium is that it is extremely light and stores a lot of energy, which can be quickly released. It is therefore also used in smartphone, laptop and electric car batteries. Professional recycling enables this lithium to be recovered. Other valuable raw materials include cobalt, nickel, copper and aluminium, which all need to be put back into circulation.

Even though the recycling of e-cigarettes may be a time-consuming process, it’s definitely worthwhile. This is because the more valuable secondary raw materials we recover and feed back into the production cycle, the fewer primary raw materials have to be mined in Africa, Asia or Australia. The recycling of e-cigarettes not only strengthens the circular economy, but also ensures that no toxic substances – such as cobalt and nickel compounds or the nicotine contained in e-liquids – are released into the environment.

Financing

SENS eRecycling finances the costs of collection, transportation, consumer awareness-raising measures and the disposal of e-cigarettes through an advance recycling charge (ARC). This currently amounts to CHF 0.10 for disposable or reusable e-cigarettes and for battery packs with a battery, or CHF 0.05 for battery packs without a battery.

Raising awareness

To ensure that fewer e-cigarettes end up on the rubbish heap in future, SENS eRecycling first launched an awareness campaign in 2023. This targets consumers through communication measures on social media, on public transport, at events and through a poster campaign. A separate landing page on the SENS eRecycling website brings together all relevant information on the topic of recycling e-cigarettes.