“No federal or state legislation governing e-cigarette end-of-life disposal currently exists, although some attempts are underway. Recycling and safety advocates say now is the time for action, before the devices’ popularity further expands with negative repercussions. Generally, e-cigarettes are operated by the user pushing a button that heats a liquid-containing plastic cartridge. The devices are not considered a safety hazard under normal conditions, but they do pose a danger when operated in ways not intended by manufacturers or disposed of improperly. “If you put a whole vape pen in a [collection] box and the button gets pressed, or it gets compressed just right or its battery is punctured, I think certainly the potential is there for a fire,” said Tony Smith, vice president of safety at the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI). Li-ion batteries still hold a charge even when they appear to no longer be useful, and small charges can cause a thermal event.”
ARTICLE LINK:
Calls for e-cigarette legislation increase amid growing fire hazard to waste and recycling industry
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