Growing volume of vape waste a challenge with recycling costly and dangerous

Reece Russell says there is confusion about how to dispose of used devices as vaping explodes in popularity. (Kate Leaver)

Vapes and e-cigarette cartridges are full of hazardous materials, including toxic liquids, nicotine and lithium batteries that can catch fire, and there is growing confusion over the best way to responsibly dispose of them.

In Western Australia, councils and waste management authorities are responsible for the disposal of most household rubbish but have limited scope to manage hazardous waste from used vapes.