As awareness about environmental degradation is spreading, people are trying to be more conscious about the cost to the environment. Vaping also accrues some form of environmental debt as most of these devices use some sort of single-use plastic. There are some vape pens out there, which still use glass bottles.
In this article, Smoke Alley will help you find out the cost to the environment due to vaping and how we can help minimize the same.
Is vaping as bad as cigarettes to the environment?
The most simple answer to this question would be an unequivocal no.
Firstly, let us talk about cigarette butts. These things do not just smell bad but are harmful to the environment as well. Researchers have estimated that there are about 4.5 million cigarette butts polluting the oceans right now. Therefore, it takes cigarette butts as the largest polluter leaving plastic and other waste behind. Many people are working to curb the problem and we have seen projects such as the Cigarette Butt Pollution Project.
Also know that cigarette butts are not made of paper. They are made from cellulose acetate, which is a man-made plastic. It takes about ten years to biodegrade, which means that the cigarette butts found in the oceans are about 10 years old.
Moreover, other than the plastic waste generated from vaping, the cigarette butts contain more than just conventional plastic waste. They may contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, chromium, cadmium and other harmful waste products. It leads to the secretion of these nasty chemicals into our natural habitat and damages our environment.
What about batteries?
Let us talk about waste generated from vape pens. Most of these pens contain a lithium ion battery. Now, firstly, these have a sufficiently long life and can be recharged over and over again.
Also, many countries around the world have come up with their own battery disposal schemes. These centers are found across the UK and help recycle these batteries. So, there are ways to help dispose of the same in an environmentally conscious way.
Tips for eco-friendly vaping
- Starting vaping with reusable batteries
- Using larger format products to generate less waste as per ratio
- Looking for recycling facilities for batteries and toxic waste
- Disposing of e-liquid in a safe manner
Want to find out more about safe smoking? Smoke Alley is here to sort you out.