How to Dispose of Vapes in Australia: A Safe Recycling Guide

Every vape eventually reaches the end of its life. What you do next matters more than most people realise.

Used vapes contain lithium batteries, electronics and nicotine residue. Thrown in the wrong bin, they can start fires.

This guide explains how to dispose of vapes safely in Australia.

It covers why bins are dangerous, where to take used devices and how to store them in the meantime.

The advice applies to every brand, from our IGET range to any other device you own.

Why You Should Never Bin a Vape

Putting a vape in your kerbside bin feels harmless. Unfortunately, it creates a real fire risk.

Clean Up Australia warns that vapes should never go in kerbside bins. The danger comes from the lithium battery inside.

In garbage trucks, rubbish gets compressed. Under that pressure, a damaged lithium battery can enter “thermal runaway”.

Thermal runaway means the battery heats rapidly and uncontrollably.

That can start a fire inside the truck or at the depot.

Waste facilities across Australia report more battery fires every year. Vapes are a growing part of that problem.

So the rule is simple. Keep vapes out of your red, yellow and green bins, every single time.

What Is Inside a Vape?

Understanding what is inside helps explain why disposal matters.

Component	Why It Matters
Lithium battery	Fire risk if crushed or damaged
Circuit board	Electronic waste with metals
Coil	Metal heating element
E-liquid residue	Contains nicotine, toxic if swallowed
Plastic and aluminium casing	Recyclable in the right stream

Clearly, a vape is a small electronic device. It belongs in e-waste streams, not general rubbish.

How to Dispose of Vapes Safely: Step by Step

Follow these steps once your device is finished.

1. Stop using the device once it tastes burnt or stops firing.
2. Don’t try to open, crush or puncture it.
3. Store it safely at home until you can drop it off.
4. Find a battery or e-waste drop-off point near you.
5. Take it to the drop-off point as soon as practical.

That is really all there is to it.

The key is patience until you reach the right drop-off point near you.

How to Store Used Vapes at Home

You may not reach a drop-off point straight away. In the meantime, store used vapes safely.

Clean Up Australia suggests keeping used vapes in a glass container until you can drop them off. Glass won’t burn.

Here are some extra tips.

• Keep the container in a cool, dry spot.
• Store it away from heat, sunlight and flammable materials.
• Keep it well out of reach of children and pets.
• Don’t overfill it, and drop off used vapes regularly.

Also, tape over any charging port with non-conductive tape. That reduces the chance of a short circuit.

Where to Drop Off Used Vapes

Australia is still building a dedicated vape recycling network. However, several options already exist.

Council E-Waste and Chemical Collections

Many councils run e-waste or household chemical drop-off days. Some accept vapes, while others don’t.

So check your council’s website first. Search your council name plus “vape disposal” or “battery recycling”.

For example, residents in regional NSW towns such as Orange can check their local council’s waste page.

Each council sets its own rules.

Council Vape Recycling Trials

Some councils have run dedicated vape collection trials.

Clean Up Australia notes that the City of Port Phillip collected more than 2,000 vapes in 2024.

As these trials expand, more areas will offer dedicated bins.

Battery Recycling Points

The B-cycle Battery Stewardship Scheme runs battery drop-off points across Australia. Many are in supermarkets and hardware stores.

However, many battery bins are designed for loose batteries.

So check whether your local point accepts vapes before dropping one off.

Pharmacies

Clean Up Australia reports that pharmacy drop-off points are being introduced in selected locations.

Ask your local pharmacy whether it accepts used vapes.

Finding a Drop-Off Near You

Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You tool helps you search for local recycling options by postcode.

Also, Clean Up Australia and No More Butts publish a list of safe disposal sites.

Visit Clean Up Australia’s vapes page to find it.

Disposal Tips by Device Type

Different devices need slightly different handling. Here is a quick guide.

Sealed Disposables

Sealed devices such as the IGET Bar 3500 contain a battery you can’t remove. So drop off the whole device.

Rechargeable Disposables

Devices such as the IGET Bar Pro 10000 also contain a built-in battery. Again, drop off the whole device.

However, make sure you have finished the e-liquid first. Charging lets you use every drop.

Pod System Batteries

Reusable batteries last months. When one finally wears out, drop it off at a battery or e-waste point.

Empty Pods

Pods contain no battery. Still, seal them in a bag because of nicotine residue.

Nicotine Pouches

Used pouches go in general waste in a sealed container or wrapper.

Keep them away from children and pets, since they contain nicotine.

Regional and Remote Areas

Drop-off options can be limited outside cities. Nevertheless, there are still ways to dispose of vapes responsibly.

First, check your council’s transfer station or tip. Many accept household batteries and e-waste.

Next, look for battery drop-off points in larger supermarkets or hardware stores in your nearest town.

Also, keep used vapes in your glass jar until your next trip to a bigger centre.

There is no need to rush.

Disposing of Pods and Cartridges

Pod systems separate the battery from the flavour. That changes disposal slightly.

Empty pods have no battery, yet they still contain nicotine residue. So don’t leave them lying around.

Seal empty pods in a small bag and dispose of them with your used vapes at a drop-off.

Alternatively, follow your council’s guidance.

Meanwhile, keep reusable batteries, such as the IGET Bar Plus S3 battery, in use as long as possible.

That reduces waste.

Learn more in our IGET Bar Plus S3 guide.

What About Leaking or Damaged Vapes?

Damaged vapes need extra care. A swollen, cracked or hot battery is dangerous.

• Don’t charge or use a damaged device.
• Place it in a glass or metal container away from flammables.
• If it is hot or smoking, move it outside onto a non-flammable surface.
• Take it to a drop-off point as soon as possible.

If a device catches fire, call 000. Don’t try to handle a burning battery.

Also, clean up leaked e-liquid with gloves and paper towel. Wash your hands afterwards.

Why Lithium Batteries Behave This Way

It helps to understand why lithium batteries are so sensitive. Then the rules make sense.

Lithium batteries store a lot of energy in a small space. That is why they power phones, laptops and vapes.

However, that energy can release suddenly if the battery is damaged. For example, crushing can cause an internal short circuit.

Once a short starts, the battery heats itself. Then the heat spreads to nearby cells and materials.

As a result, a small vape can ignite paper, cardboard and plastic around it.

In a packed garbage truck, that spreads quickly.

So keeping vapes out of bins isn’t just a guideline. It prevents real fires.

A Household System for Used Vapes

The easiest way to stay on top of disposal is a simple system. Many households use this approach.

Step One: Pick a Container

First, choose a glass jar with a lid. A clean pasta sauce or coffee jar works well.

Step Two: Choose a Safe Spot

Next, store it somewhere cool and dry. A high shelf in the laundry or garage is ideal.

Also, keep it away from the kitchen, heaters and direct sunlight.

Step Three: Label It

Then label the jar clearly, for example “Used vapes – for recycling”.

That stops anyone from mistaking it for something else.

Step Four: Set a Reminder

Finally, set a monthly reminder to drop off the contents.

Pair it with a regular errand, such as the weekly shop.

In short, a jar, a shelf and a reminder solve the problem.

Disposal at Work and Shared Spaces

Workplaces and share houses need a plan too. Otherwise, used vapes end up in office bins.

For example, a workplace can provide a clearly labelled glass or metal container. Then someone drops the contents off regularly.

Similarly, share houses can keep one shared jar. That keeps devices out of the general rubbish.

Also, landlords and building managers can ask their council about collection options.

Disposal When You Are Out and About

Sometimes a device runs out when you are away from home. In that case, don’t leave it behind.

Instead, put it in a pocket or bag compartment away from keys and coins.

Then take it home to your jar.

Never leave vapes in public bins, on beaches or in parks.

They harm wildlife and can start fires in bin trucks too.

Also, if you are travelling, look for e-waste points at your destination.

Our guide on travelling with a vape covers airports and flights.

Talking to Friends About Disposal

Many people simply don’t know that vapes cause bin fires. A quick chat can change that.

For example, if a friend bins a used vape, mention the fire risk.

Most people are happy to do the right thing once they know.

Also, share the idea of a glass jar at home. It is simple and costs nothing.

How Genuine Devices Help

Genuine devices use quality batteries with protection circuits. Therefore, they are less likely to swell or fail.

Counterfeit devices often use cheap cells with no protection.

As a result, they pose a greater risk at every stage, including disposal.

So buying genuine stock protects you twice. You get a better device, and a safer one to dispose of later.

Our IGET authentication guide shows you how to verify any IGET device.

What Retailers Can Do

Retailers have a role to play too. Many are exploring take-back options for used devices.

At Official IGET, we encourage every customer to dispose of used devices responsibly. We also share guides like this one.

Our FAQ page includes disposal tips, and we update it as new recycling options appear.

Reducing Vape Waste in the First Place

The best way to reduce waste is to create less of it. A few choices help.

Choose Rechargeable Devices

Rechargeable devices let you finish every drop of e-liquid. You don’t discard a device with liquid left inside.

Our guide on how to recharge a disposable vape explains how.

Choose Higher Puff Counts

A single high-puff device replaces several smaller ones. That means fewer batteries overall.

For example, one IGET Move B50000 offers up to 50,000 puffs. That could replace many smaller devices.

Our guide on big puff vapes compares the longest-lasting devices.

Choose Pod Systems

Pod systems reuse the battery for months. Only the pods get replaced.

Consider Nicotine Pouches

Pouches have no battery or electronics. So they avoid e-waste entirely.

Browse the IGET Shion pouch range if you want a battery-free option.

The Environmental Impact of Vapes

Disposable vapes combine plastic, metal and lithium in a small package. That makes them hard to recycle.

When they end up in landfill, valuable materials are lost. Also, batteries can leach chemicals over time.

In addition, littered vapes wash into drains and waterways. Clean-up groups report finding them on beaches and in parks.

Proper disposal keeps these materials in the recycling stream. It also protects waste workers and firefighters.

What the Future Holds for Vape Recycling

Australia is moving towards better systems. Clean Up Australia highlights the proposed Small Electrical and Electronic Equipment scheme.

It also advocates for an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for vapes. That would make producers help fund disposal.

Until then, council trials and battery schemes remain the main options. Checking locally is essential.

Common Disposal Mistakes

Even careful people make these mistakes. Avoid them.

Putting Vapes in Recycling Bins

The yellow bin isn’t for batteries. Vapes in recycling bins can start fires at sorting facilities.

Taking Vapes Apart

Some people try to remove the battery to recycle it separately. This is dangerous and not recommended.

Leaving Vapes in Drawers for Years

Old lithium batteries can degrade. Drop them off regularly rather than letting them pile up.

Littering

Throwing a vape on the ground harms wildlife and waterways. Always carry it home.

Quick Reference: How to Dispose of Vapes

Keep this summary handy.

Do	Don’t
Store used vapes in a glass container	Put vapes in any kerbside bin
Find a battery or e-waste drop-off	Open, crush or puncture devices
Tape over charging ports	Charge damaged devices
Drop them off regularly	Let used vapes pile up for years
Keep them away from children and pets	Litter vapes in public places

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to dispose of vapes safely.

Keep them out of bins, store them carefully and use a proper drop-off point.

It takes a little extra effort. However, it prevents fires, protects waste workers and keeps valuable materials in circulation.

Also, buying genuine devices helps. Genuine batteries are less likely to swell or fail.

Official IGET is your one-stop shop for genuine IGET products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a vape in my household bin?

No, vapes should never go in kerbside bins.

Their lithium batteries can start fires in garbage trucks.

Can vapes go in the yellow recycling bin?

No, batteries can start fires at sorting facilities.

Use a battery or e-waste drop-off instead.

Where can I drop off used vapes?

Try council e-waste services, battery drop-off points or participating pharmacies.

Check locally first, as options vary.

How should I store used vapes at home?

Keep them in a glass container away from heat.

Keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Can I remove the battery from a vape?

No, taking a vape apart is dangerous.

Drop off the whole device instead.

What should I do with a swollen vape?

Stop using it and store it in a non-flammable container.

Take it to a drop-off point as soon as possible.

Do empty pods need special disposal?

Empty pods contain nicotine residue.

Seal them in a bag and drop them off with used vapes.

How can I reduce vape waste?

Choose rechargeable, high-puff or pod devices.

Nicotine pouches avoid battery waste entirely.

What if a vape catches fire?

Call 000 immediately.

Don’t try to handle a burning battery.

Is there a national vape recycling scheme?

Not yet, although schemes are being proposed.

Council trials and battery programs fill the gap for now.

Can I recycle a vape at a supermarket battery bin?

Some battery bins accept vapes, while many accept loose batteries only.

Check the bin’s signage first.

How often should I drop off used vapes?

Once a month works well for most households.

Don’t let them pile up for years.

This article is general information for adults aged 18 and over. Nicotine is an addictive substance.

Keep all vaping products away from children and pets.