Vape Recycling 101: How to Dispose of Vapes and Bottles Responsibly
⏱ Estimated read time: 7–8 minutes • UK focus
Don’t put vapes or batteries in your household bin. Do three things: empty & rinse bottles, separate batteries, and take devices/pods to your local recycling centre or a shop that accepts small electricals.
Vapes mix batteries, electronics and plastic. That combo means the normal bin isn’t an option. Here’s the simple way to deal with bottles, pods and devices without needing a dictionary of recycling codes.
What counts as vape waste?
- Refillable devices & pod systems: a rechargeable battery plus a small electronic body.
- Pods/coils: small plastic or metal parts that can hold a bit of leftover e-liquid.
- Disposable vapes: single-use devices with a built-in battery.
- E-liquid bottles: usually plastic (PET or HDPE) with a cap and nozzle.
What you can do at home
- Bottles: Empty any dregs. Rinse bottle and cap. If your council accepts that plastic type, put it in your recycling. If not, general waste after rinsing.
- Pods/coils: Let any liquid drain, wipe with kitchen roll, then bag the tissue and bin it. Keep the pod/coil for drop-off with other vape bits.
- Devices: If the battery comes out, remove it. Keep the device and battery separate for drop-off.
- Batteries: Tape the ends and take to supermarket battery bins or your local recycling centre’s battery container.
Where to take vapes and bottles
Use your council website or national recycling locators to find the nearest drop-off. Typical options:
| Item | Kerbside? | Best option | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose batteries (including built-in types if removable) | No | Supermarket battery bin or local recycling centre | Tape the ends to stop shorting. |
| Refillable devices (battery removed if possible) | No | “Small electricals” drop-off at your local recycling centre | Ask staff if you’re not sure which container. |
| Disposable vapes | No | Shop take-back (if offered) or local recycling centre “small electricals” | Keep them intact and hand to staff if asked. |
| Pods/coils | No | Take with devices to the “small electricals” container | Empty first; bag if there’s residue. |
| E-liquid bottles (rinsed) | Sometimes | Kerbside plastics if accepted, otherwise local recycling centre | Check the plastic code and your council’s rules. |
Simple recycling flow (diagram)
The impact of disposable vapes
Single-use vapes pack a battery, electronics and plastic into one throwaway item. When they go in the bin, we lose recoverable materials and increase fire risk in waste trucks. Even when recycled, the one-and-done format creates more packaging and transport per puff than a refillable pod. If you do use disposables, take them to a shop that accepts small electricals or your local recycling centre instead of the household bin.
Quick FAQ
Can I put empty e-liquid bottles in my recycling?
Maybe. Rinse the bottle and cap, then check your council’s plastics list. If they don’t accept it, put it in general waste after rinsing.
What if my device has a built-in battery I can’t remove?
Take the whole device to your local recycling centre and ask where to put small electricals. Many shops also accept them.
Pods and coils?
Empty first. If your recycling centre accepts them with small electricals, use that. If not, bag and bin.
Where’s my nearest drop-off?
Use your council’s website or the national recycling locators below.