In a world increasingly aware of environmental concerns, the correct disposal of disposable vapes in Malaysia requires attention. As these devices grow in popularity, so does the potential waste they generate. This guide provides an overview of how to responsibly dispose of these devices so you can do your part to help preserve the environment.
What Should You Do With Old Disposable Vapes?
The best thing to do with disposable vapes in Malaysia is to recycle them. If you want to avoid harming the environment by disposing of these vapes with your regular garbage, there are a few methods you can use to keep the environment safe from the batteries and e-liquid inside when you dispose of an empty vape.
How to Recycle Disposable Vapes in Malaysia
There are a few options you can look into to dispose of your disposal vapes in Malaysia. You can try to drop them off at e-waste recycling centres, separate the different materials at home, find a vape store that collects them to recycle, or send them back to the manufacturer.
Find E-Waste Recycling Centres and Drop Off Your Disposable Vapes
Many major cities in Malaysia have e-waste drop-off points that you can use to dispose of your disposable vapes. These centres will dispose of your vape correctly, so you won’t need to worry about damaging the environment. The Malaysian government offers a helpful e-waste collector map to find the location nearest to you.
Separate the Different Materials at Home
If you don’t want to take your disposable vape to a drop-off point, try separating the materials yourself. This process isn’t something that everyone is comfortable doing and requires caution. Start by removing any batteries and then divide the plastic from the metal parts.
You can then properly dispose of the parts separately. For example, the metal can be recycled at a local recycling facility, while batteries will need to be sent to an e-waste recycling centre.
Find a Vape Store That Collects Used Disposables to Recycle
Another option is to find a vape store that collects used disposable vapes to recycle. Many vape stores now offer this service as part of their commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental waste. You can contact them directly to see if they collect old disposables.
Send Them Back to the Manufacturer
Some manufacturers offer recycling services for their disposable vapes. Contact the manufacturer directly to learn about any such programs and arrangements they may have for disposing of old vapes.
E-waste Statistics in Malaysia
Malaysians generated an average of 11.1kg of e-waste per person and 364 kilotons of e-waste as a country in 2019. As of 2023, there are 50 million metric tons of e-waste generated worldwide each year, with an average of 7kg per capita. Based on that, Malaysia’s per-capita contribution exceeds the global average.
When recycling can’t keep up with this e-waste generation, more toxic waste gets added to traditional landfills and may cause harmful chemicals or microplastics to seep into water supplies. As a result, it’s essential to recycle disposable vapes appropriately.
The Environmental Impact of Improper Vape Disposal
When vapes are improperly disposed of, they can cause serious environmental harm because they contain various hazardous materials, such as lithium-ion batteries, plastics, and nicotine-containing e-liquids. These materials can leak out of the device when not recycled or disposed of properly, leading to groundwater contamination and other environmental damage.
Unfortunately, it’s not always economical for recycling companies to collect and recycle vapes in large quantities because their small size makes it difficult to separate the components. As a result, people must take extra care when disposing of these devices to reduce the environmental impact of improper disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Throw My Disposable Vape in the Bin?
If possible, you should avoid throwing your disposable vape into the garbage can, as the battery and e-liquid contain hazardous chemicals and materials that can damage the environment. Recycling your disposable vape at an e-waste recycling facility is always best.
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Disposing of your disposable vapes in Malaysia requires extra forethought and action on behalf of consumers, but it’s worth it. By using one of the methods outlined above, you can do your part to minimise your environmental impact.
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