Every vape contains a lithium-ion battery, electronics and plastic, which is why it can't go in the bin like ordinary rubbish. This guide explains how to recycle every part of your vaping kit in the UK: rechargeable vapes, pods, spare batteries, e-liquid bottles and any old disposables you still have.
Why you can't put vapes in the bin
When a vape goes in a household bin, its battery can be crushed or damaged in a bin lorry or at a recycling centre and start a fire. According to Recycle Your Electricals, the national campaign run by the not-for-profit Material Focus:
- over 6 million vapes and pods are binned in the UK every week instead of being recycled
- there were over 1,200 fires across the UK last year caused by binned vapes and electricals
- up to 80% of the materials in a vape can be recycled
- the lithium in binned vapes could power almost 5,000 electric cars a year if it were recovered
The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol on your vape or its packaging is there for this reason: it means the product must not go in general rubbish.
Where to recycle vapes near you
Any shop that sells vapes
All retailers that sell vapes in the UK must take back old vapes for recycling. That includes vape shops, supermarkets and convenience stores. If a shop sells vapes but you can't see a recycling bin, ask at the till.
Your local household waste recycling centre
Household waste recycling centres (the tip) have bins for small electricals and batteries. Put your vape in with the electricals.
Recycling banks and council collections
Some supermarkets and car parks have electrical recycling banks, and some councils collect small electricals from your doorstep. Check your council's website.
To find all the options near you, enter your postcode in the Recycle Your Electricals recycling locator.
Recycling your vapes with us
If you're near our shop at 67 High Street, Lees, Oldham OL4 3BN, you can drop your old vapes in the recycling bin in store. We send the vapes we collect for proper recycling, so the batteries and materials are recovered rather than ending up in landfill.
How to recycle vape pods
Pods need recycling too. Prefilled pods, such as Vuse pods, and refillable pods contain metal parts, a coil and leftover e-liquid, so they shouldn't go in your household bin or plastics recycling. Take them to a vape recycling bin or your recycling centre's electricals bin along with your device. Collect used pods in a small bag or container until you have a few to drop off.
How to recycle vape batteries
If your vape has a removable battery, such as an 18650 battery in a mod, take it out and recycle it separately at a battery recycling point. Many supermarkets have battery bins, and household waste recycling centres accept them too. If the battery is built in, recycle the whole device with your electricals.
Before you drop off loose batteries, keep them in a battery case or cover the ends with tape, so they can't short-circuit against each other or anything metal.
What to do with old disposable vapes
Disposable vapes have been banned from sale in the UK since 1 June 2025. The ban makes it illegal for businesses to sell or supply them. It doesn't stop you recycling any you still have. Recycle them exactly like any other vape: at a shop that sells vapes, a recycling centre or an electrical recycling point. Never put them in the bin, even when they're empty. The battery is still inside.
Can you recycle e-liquid bottles?
Often, yes. Most e-liquid and shortfill bottles are plastic, and many councils accept them in household plastics recycling once they're empty and clean:
- Use up or empty the bottle completely. Don't recycle bottles with e-liquid left in them.
- Remove the cap and nozzle if you can.
- Rinse the bottle out.
- Check your council's recycling guidance to see whether that type of plastic is accepted. If it isn't, put the rinsed bottle in general waste.
Glass bottles can go in glass recycling once empty and rinsed. The cardboard boxes e-liquids come in can go in paper and card recycling.
How to prepare a vape for recycling
- Don't take it apart unless the battery is designed to be removed. Sealed vapes and pods should be recycled whole.
- Don't pierce, crush or burn a vape or battery.
- Store old vapes somewhere cool and dry until you can drop them off, away from anything metal.
- Remove removable batteries and recycle them separately.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put my vape in the bin?
No. Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries that can start fires in bin lorries and recycling centres. Take them to a shop that sells vapes, a recycling centre or an electrical recycling point instead.
Do shops have to take back old vapes?
Yes. All retailers that sell vapes in the UK must take back old vapes for recycling. If you can't see a bin, ask a member of staff.
Can vapes go in household recycling?
No. Vapes, pods and vape batteries must be kept out of your household recycling as well as your general waste. Only empty, rinsed e-liquid bottles may go in household recycling, if your council accepts them.
How do I dispose of Vuse pods?
Take used Vuse pods, like any other vape pods, to a vape recycling bin or your local recycling centre's electricals bin. Don't put them in your household bin or plastics recycling.
What happens to vapes after they're recycled?
According to Recycle Your Electricals, built-in batteries are removed, then the rest of the device is broken down by machine and by hand. The materials are sorted, cleaned and sent to specialists for reuse: plastics for reprocessing and metals to smelters.