How to Recycle Vape Tanks

The plastic drip tip on your tank is too small to be recycled, so this will need to be discarded in your general household bin. Since vape tanks are made using Pyrex glass, this will need to be discarded in the same way.

However, it’s not all bad news: the metal and rubber parts of your vape tank can usually be recycled! Once you’ve separated the metal parts from your tank and cleaned away any e-liquid residue, these can be taken to your nearest tip for use as scrap metal. As for the rubber parts from your tank, we recommend contacting your nearest recycling centre to find out if they are able to take this material.

How to Recycle Vape Pods

For refillable pods, you’ll firstly need to rinse out any excess e-liquid residue found on the glass, plastic and metal parts.

Similar to tanks, the metal parts of your vape pods should be separated, collected and dropped off at your nearest tip for use as scrap metal, while plastics, glass and rubber can all be dropped off at their respective recycling points.

For pre-filled pods, recycling is a little trickier. This is because pre-filled pods are single-use products with non-removable metal coils, which is categorised as a mixed material byproduct. As such, pre-filled pods will need to be discarded in your normal household bin.

How to Recycle Vape Coils

The heart of your vaping device, the coil, can also be recycled once correctly separated from the cotton wick. Most cotton wicks can be recycled in your usual household recycling bin, however never recycle wicks from vertically built coils as it will have been deeply saturated in nicotine and can cause complications for the recycling process.

When it comes to recycling the metal parts of your coil, this can be done in the same way you would with tanks and pods. Simply take this to your local scrap metal tip, and it’ll eventually be repurposed into something new!

How to Recycle Disposable Vaping Devices

Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to our environment. Unfortunately, many vapers still remain unaware of the fact that disposable vapes can be recycled if disassembled correctly.

Once you’ve used up all of the puffs in your disposable, safely take out the battery and separate it from the plastic. Make sure to clean the plastic of any e-liquid residue, and take this to your local recycling facility along with your battery. You'll be able to place these parts in their respective recycling bins.

Each disposable vape is different, so make sure to check the recycling information provided on your product’s packaging. If there is no information available, it’s a good idea to check in with your local council or tip to find out your options.

 

Why Proper Vape Recycling Matters More Than Ever

While recycling vape kits and accessories has always been important, 2025 has brought greater awareness to the environmental consequences of improper disposal. A single vape battery, if thrown into general waste, can release harmful chemicals such as lithium and heavy metals into the environment. These substances can contaminate soil and water sources, posing a risk to wildlife and potentially entering the human food chain.

For disposable vapes, the environmental footprint is even higher. Each device contains plastic casing, an integrated battery, and metal components that could otherwise be recovered and reused. By recycling, we reduce the demand for new raw materials, cut down on pollution from manufacturing, and help conserve finite resources like lithium.

It’s not only the hardware that matters. Leftover e-liquid, particularly those containing nicotine, can be harmful if it leaks into the environment. This makes it vital to ensure bottles and pods are completely empty and rinsed before recycling.

 

Where to Recycle Vape Kits in the UK

In the UK, there are multiple ways to ensure your vape kits, pods, and accessories are recycled responsibly:

• Battery Recycling Points – Found in most supermarkets, electronics stores, and even some libraries, these collection bins are ideal for removable vape batteries.
  
  

• Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) – Your local recycling centre can take small electrical items, including vape kits with built-in batteries.
  
  

• Retailer Take-Back Schemes – Many vape retailers now offer a recycling service for pods, coils, and even complete kits. This includes both reusable and disposable devices.
  
  

When preparing your items for recycling, always remove the battery if possible, clean away any e-liquid residue, and separate materials into plastic, metal, and glass. This ensures they can be processed more efficiently.

 

Making the Switch to Reusable Vape Kits

One of the most effective ways to reduce waste is to move away from disposables entirely. A quality reusable vape kit can last for years when properly maintained, dramatically cutting down on the amount of hardware you discard.

Refillable pod kits, for example, allow you to replace just the pod or coil instead of the entire device. Many vapers choose nicotine salts in these systems for a smoother throat hit and quicker nicotine delivery, meaning fewer puffs are needed to feel satisfied. This can lead to lower e-liquid consumption over time.

Reusable vape pods also give you flexibility with flavour choice, allowing you to switch between your favourites without generating the same level of waste that pre-filled pods and disposable vapes create.

 

Choosing More Sustainable Vaping Habits

Small changes in your vaping routine can have a big impact. Opt for larger bottles of e-liquid rather than multiple smaller ones, choose coils designed for longevity, and keep wattages at moderate levels to extend coil life.

By combining proper recycling practices with a move toward reusable vapes and eco-conscious habits, you’ll not only enjoy a better vaping experience but also help protect the environment for years to come.

Extra Tips on How to Be an Eco-friendly Vaper

The UK is one of the biggest producers of e-waste in the world, generating a shocking 23.9kg of e-waste per capita. But did you know that there’s tons of ways to reduce your environmental impact as a vaper? You’d be surprised by how even the smallest of actions can make a huge difference! If you’re a sub-ohm vaper, try opting for 100ml bottles as opposed to 50ml. This way, you’ll be able to cut down on plastic waste, not to mention keep topped up on all of your favourite flavours.

For mouth-to-lung vapers and especially beginners, it’s always worth starting with nicotine salts first. These types of e-liquids provide smoother throat hits and deliver nicotine rapidly, meaning you won’t need to vape as long. The result? Maximum satisfaction, less e-liquid consumption, and less plastic waste!

Another great way to reduce plastic waste is to vape with less sweet e-liquids, ideally at lower wattages. The reason being is that sweeter e-liquids are known to burn through coils faster. Similarly, higher wattages can cause your coil to become much hotter, burning the metal and cotton at a quicker rate.