Do NOT put e-cigarettes in your household trash or recycling . The lithium batteries can become damaged arid cause fires. . Nicotine is toxic and poses a risk to both workers and the environment. DO take e-cigarettes to your household hazardous waste (HHW) collection site . Many towns and counties have collection programs for HHW, which can be identified by searching oniine for HHW collections near you or contacting your local solid waste agency. . Typically HHW collections are free for residents. . The e-cigarettes will be managed safely and prevent fires and releases of harmful chemicals to the environment. E-Cigarettes Contain Nicotine and Lithium Batteries E-cigarettes contain nicotine and lithium batteries, making them hazardous waste. Nicotine is toxic. Liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes can be easily absorbed by the skin, potentially causing nicotine poisoning with symptoms that include difficulty breathing, fainting, or seizures. Nicotine can also harm fish and other aquatic organisms. Lithium batteries can catch fire, especially when damaged. When An e-cigarette showing the portions that placed in household trash and recycling bins, lithium batteries often get damaged by trash compactors and can cause fires during transportation and at waste and recycling facilities. contain the two hazards. Benefits of HHW Collection Taking your e-cigarette waste to a HHW collection site is the best way to ensure that your hazardous waste does not: . Cause a fire. . Expose first responders and other workers to toxic chemicals. . Release toxic chemicals into the environment. Firefighter extinguishing a lithium battery fire after the combusted pile of recyclables was moved outside by a municipal recycling facility operator. Photo courtesy of Larimer County Solid Waste Department, Colorado. vvEPA Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery EPA 530-F-23-011 November 2023 https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw A customer carefully disposing of multiple e-cigarettes at an HHW collection site. Photo courtesy of Mesa County, Colorado HHW Lithium Nicotine ------- |