Nearly 200 drop-off points in Quebec: a new program in place to recycle e-cigarettes

A responsible recovery solution is now available to vapers in Quebec. Thanks to a brand new program, it will now be possible to recycle batteries and other components of e-cigarettes at several collection points across the province.

Launched on 1^is January by the organization Call2Recycle, the program aims to protect the environment by keeping devices and their batteries out of landfill sites. The reusable components will be recycled to support the circular economy in Quebec.

A collection network has been set up to facilitate accessibility to consumers. Collection containers were therefore installed in nearly 200 participating vaping stores, municipal ecocenters and other waste management facilities.

“When the boxes are full, we will collect the e-cigarettes to send them to our sorting partners who will take care of dismantling. Once the components are separated, the different materials will either be treated or recycled,” explains Charles-Antoine Dubois, communications manager at Call2Recycle Canada.

A real need

As the latter indicates, the “Recycle Your Vapoteuses” program will offer the industry a “ready and effective solution for recycling vapes”, which simply did not exist before its implementation.

“There was very clearly a need to support these products that are very complex and can have an impact on the environment.”

Remember that between 2020 and 2022, a considerable increase in sales of disposable devices was observed in convenience stores by the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ).

Unlike various rechargeable devices, disposable electronic cigarettes only offer a certain number of puffs and are of no use after that. It therefore became necessary to find a solution to enable their recovery.

Everyone’s collaboration

For his part, Mr. Dubois now hopes that consumers will embark on this innovative project which he describes as the first in Canada due to the collaboration with vape producers and in consultation, in particular, with Santé Québec and RECYC- QUEBEC.

“The program is launched, but its success now relies on the collaboration of e-cigarette consumers so we encourage them to participate and learn about the subject.”

The organization also reminds that vaping devices should never be thrown in the trash or even regular recycling bins, as they contain batteries and other components that require special handling and recycling processes .