Over 1200 cellulose acetate fibers are contained in each cigarette. As a result, a single cigarette butt can kill half of the fish in a liter of water.
Despite this, 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded into the environment each year, where they can take about a decade to degrade. In addition, they leach toxins, limit plant growth, and kill wildlife in the process.
Cigarettes are, without a doubt, a disaster for the environment.
Are electronic cigarettes, on the other hand, any better?
The vaping industry is hampered by well-intentioned but poorly drafted legislation requiring the use of 10ml plastic bottles. This is harmful to the environment due to the sheer number of individual bottles that must be produced, but batteries and disposable vapes must be considered.
This makes you wonder if there exist any other ways you can use vape in a more environmentally friendly way. Yes, the answer is yes.
If you’re looking for more info on how to vape in a more environmentally friendly way, you’ve come to the right place.
Fortunately, this article compiles several things we can do as individuals to reduce our environmental impact. The good news is that many of these actions will help you save money as well.
Use reusable devices.
One of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact is reducing your disposables use.
Disposable vape devices are becoming increasingly popular. However, if you happen to find yourself with a flat battery or a cracked glass, they can be a helpful way to satisfy cravings until you can fix your regular vape.
But don’t forget that each disposable vape has a lithium-ion battery.
If most vapers or smokers switched to disposable vapes, hundreds of millions more batteries would be manufactured, transported around the world, and discarded each year. It would also mean more lithium mining, a high-energy, chemical-intensive process that harms the environment and local ecosystems.
Worse, because disposables contain both a battery and nicotine in the same device, they are difficult to recycle.
Consider using a rechargeable vape device if you care about the environment. You’ll be saving the environment while also saving a lot of money in the long run.
Changing Up Your E-liquid
In the last couple of years, there has been an increase in the number of e-liquid brands that use natural alternatives to PG (Propylene Glycol), such as Vegetol, a type of vegetable oil made entirely of plant-based ingredients. Although PG does not contribute significantly to fossil carbon dioxide emissions, it is classified as a petrochemical because it originates from petroleum. We carry the well-known Kind juice and the premium French brand Curieux, containing Vegetol.
It’s also worth noting that some e-liquids with a lot of flavoring have a higher sugar content, which kills coils much faster than simple flavors.
As a general rule, menthol or tobacco flavors have the most extended lifespan, which means they need to be replaced less frequently. Similarly, e-liquids that use alternative sweeteners in place of sugar will extend the life of your coils.
On the other hand, those who vape nicotine may find it helpful to switch to a higher nic strength, which means you’ll vape less and save money on e-liquid and plastic. One way to accomplish this is to switch to a salt nicotine e-liquid with a higher nicotine ratio and faster absorption into the bloodstream, meaning cravings will be significantly reduced.
And who says you always have to vape to get your high?
Other THC products like THC oils, gummies, and snacks like the Delta 8 milk chocolate are different healthy and eco-friendly ways to get your THC dose. Even better? They’re less expensive than vapes.
Recycle
Batteries can be recycled, but many are discarded as hazardous waste.
Fortunately, there are several options for more environmentally friendly battery disposal.
Returning them to your supplier is one way to get rid of them. Under the WEEE scheme, vape sellers are required to accept batteries and recycle them.
You can also take your batteries to a recycling center. Local Recycling and other similar websites can assist you in locating the nearest facility. If you own a car, try to drop it off as part of another trip to avoid increasing your emissions at the same time.
Plastic bottles are more difficult because there is conflicting advice. According to some sources, e-liquid bottles cannot be recycled because they contain nicotine. Other sources, including some local governments and recycling companies, say they can be recycled if washed first.
Photo by E-Liquids UK on Unsplash
When you’re ready, move on to refillable tanks.
Cigalikes and pre-filled cartridges/pods with fixed coils are extremely simple to operate.
They are a great entry point to vaping for vapers who are put off by more advanced devices because they do not require refilling or coil changing.
However, modern refillable devices are also simple to use. For example, many modern devices require you to twist the top to reveal a filling hole – and then fill.
Take things a step further by buying a device that employs tanks or pods with replaceable coils. Replace it when the coil gets to the end of its useful life. This reduces the amount of glass, plastic, and metal used in manufacturing while saving you money on new tanks or pods.
Photo by Chiara Summer on Unsplash
Switch Off Your Vape And Conserve Energy
When not in use, please turn off your e-cigarette device ultimately to save power and help extend the life of your battery, so always power off your device rather than leaving it on standby in between vapes. Similarly, rather than charging your e-cigarette device for hours or overnight, set it only until it reaches full charge status. This does not just save energy, but it also promotes safety because you won’t risk overcharging the device and straining the battery.
Conclusion
The holy grail setup for the most environmentally conscious vaper would be a low-wattage regular mod with a single removable battery, a standard glass tank with a removable coil, and a 10ml 20mg salt nicotine e-liquid blend with a low sugar content from the UK.
Suppose a vaper uses a 10ml bottle and one coil per week on average (removable batteries last about 18 months), the annual waste totals just under 1kg of recyclable materials. This would be the healthiest and most environmentally friendly way to vape.
Featured image: Photo by Vaporesso on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
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