Compliantly Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries in Vape Pens

lithium-ion batteries

Waste in the cannabis industry has become a significant issue. The industry's carbon footprint is exponentially growing as more states legalize cannabis each year. Among the biggest contributors are plant waste, packaging, and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in disposable vape pens.

Below, you'll learn about the negative environmental impact of improperly disposing of lithium-ion batteries and the complexities of recycling them compliantly.

AIO Disposable Vape Pens

All-in-one (AIO) disposable vapes are portable devices pre-loaded with e-liquid or extracts. They’re appealing for their sleek, portable design, ease of use, and discrete, minimal scent. Some vape pens are rechargeable, while others are single-use products.

The mixed controlled substance of cannabis with the hazardous waste of lithium-ion batteries makes compliant disposal very challenging and expensive. In the case of an administrative hold, the bulk destruction of AIO devices is required, wherein AIO devices must be separated and individually treated.

The Environmental Impact of Lithium-Ion Batteries

The end-of-life cycle for lithium-ion batteries is important; when batteries are thrown away, their resources are lost forever.

Disposing Lithium-Ion Batteries

Li-ion batteries and vape pens containing these batteries should not go in household garbage or recycling bins. They can cause fires during transport or at landfills and recyclers. This also puts the health of workers and communities at risk. A 2021 report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shared that 245 fires at waste facilities were associated with these batteries.

Plus, tossing batteries into landfill can potentially contaminate the soil, water, and air, especially when they’re cracked or damaged.

Li-ion batteries and vape pens containing these batteries should instead be recycled by certified recyclers.

Extracting Critical Materials

While the materials in lithium-ion batteries vary, common materials used are cobalt, copper and aluminum foils, electrolyte, graphite, iron, lithium, manganese, and nickel. Of these, aluminum foil, cobalt, graphite, lithium, manganese, and nickel are classified as critical materials.

The safe recycling of lithium-ion batteries returns valuable critical minerals to the economy, thereby conserving resources and reducing the energy used to produce new batteries.

Safely Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries

When a battery is slated for recycling after collection and evaluation, a common next management step is shredding. Batteries can be discharged to remove electricity before this step or otherwise managed to prevent fires. The shredding process creates a number of different streams, including:

  • black mass, a granular material with valuable metals made up of the shredded cathodes and anodes,

  • copper and aluminum foils,

  • electrolytes,

  • plastics,

  • separators, and

  • steel canisters.

Recovered materials can then go into manufacturing new lithium-ion batteries.

Recycle Disposable Vape Pens Compliantly With Monarch

The environmental impact of cannabis waste is huge, but by recycling lithium-ion batteries, we conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and preserve critical materials.

Recognizing AIO disposable vapes are difficult to compliantly recycle led Monarch Waste Co. to develop its Disposable Vape Recycling Program.

We’ll efficiently separate and remove lithium-ion batteries from your disposable vapes and responsibly recycle them with local certified recyclers, ensuring all operations in Missouri are conducted safely and in accordance with the EPA’s sustainability guidelines.

Learn more about how we’re here to support your licensed cannabis facility in achieving efficient and sustainable waste management practices by contacting us today!

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Why You Need a Cannabis Waste Management Plan

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The DHSS Placed Cannabis Products on Administrative Hold