Although most of us are focused on the harm reduction potential of vaping, we should also be concerned about our impact on the environment. As vaping has become more popular, we naturally see more conversations about how the industry and the community can make changes that reduce our collective carbon footprint. In this article, we’re going to cover some simple ways you can vape in a more environmentally friendly way.
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Re-use before recycling
Often the first thing we think of when the topic of being greener comes up is recycling. However, before this step, there’s a lot more we can do to lessen our impact on the environment.
Perhaps the biggest thing when it comes to vaping is reusing devices. If you have had a successful vaping journey and no longer need your device, or have upgraded to a device that is more suitable to your needs, don’t throw out your original device!
Even if you intend to recycle your old vaping device, you could reduce your impact on the environment even more by passing it on to another smoker or vaper who can continue to use it.
Provided the device is in working order and has been thoroughly cleaned, the greenest option is to pass it along to someone you know who could benefit from it. As a bonus, this can be a great opportunity to give someone in your life access to a less harmful alternative.
Most INNOKIN devices are designed to last for 1-3 years of regular use when properly cared for, so if you’ve upgraded from one of our starter kits to something more advanced, pass that starter kit on to someone who can use it. This will save valuable resources and reduce the need for shipping, which goes a long way in reducing waste.
Make the switch to more sustainable devices
Disposable devices have seen a huge rise in popularity over the past two years. While they can be a fantastic option for new vapers and in certain other use cases, there’s no denying the fact that disposable vapes are wasteful.
Regularly throwing away valuable resources such as lithium-ion batteries, along with materials that are difficult to recycle is not a sustainable option.
If you have been finding success with disposable vapes we aren’t judging you, but it is seriously worth considering making the switch to a more sustainable device. Even the simplest option, such as a pre-filled pod system, will produce less waste than a fully disposable device.
If you want the most sustainable option, choose a refillable vaping device with replaceable coils. Waste produced by these devices is much lower than in any other category, since only the coil needs to be disposed of, which is a small amount of material every 1-2 weeks. In addition, the e-liquid bottles you’ll be using are much easier to recycle than a disposable device and last much longer on average.
Prolong the life of your vaping equipment
Taking simple steps to prolong the life of your vaping device will save you money and reduce your impact on the environment. It’s common sense, but if you don’t have to replace your device as often, it’s a win-win.
If you’re using a refillable device, clean the tank/pod and any connectors regularly to remove build-up of debris that could damage the device. Additionally, make sure you only use high-quality charging cables (such as the one included with the device) to ensure your battery can take advantage of the maximum number of charge cycles.
If you really want to go the extra mile, consider using e-liquids with less sweetener. High levels of sweetener in e-liquid can cause coils to burn out quickly, which creates a greater volume of waste. Ask your local vape shop about low-sweetener e-liquids and give them a go. If you enjoy them, you’ll end up saving money on replacement coils while reducing your impact on the environment!
Recycle what you can
When a vaping device or accessory comes to the end of its lifecycle and cannot be used anymore, it’s best to recycle whatever components you can.
Parts of your vape that have come into contact with e-liquid, such as tanks, will need to be thoroughly cleaned before recycling, as the nicotine found in e-liquid is considered to be a contaminant. Likewise, e-liquid bottles should be thoroughly cleaned before recycling.
Most disposable devices cannot be recycled, although this is slowly changing. If your disposable device can be recycled, make sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid incorrect disposal.
When disposing of any external batteries, or a device that contains an internal battery, it's best to check with local guidance, as this varies significantly by region. Fortunately, special battery disposal units are becoming more common in many parts of the world.
We hope this article has given you some helpful information and new ideas about how you can vape in a more sustainable way. We would love to hear your thoughts on sustainability in vaping through our Vape For The Planet survey, which you can find here. Everyone who participates in the survey will be entered into a huge giveaway, so let your voice be heard!
