Lithium-ion battery fires can ignite at the drop of a hat and leave you dumbstruck with panic, unsure of what to do next.  Minutes ago you were holding court at the office and puffing away on your vaping pen like an existentialist.  Now you’re stiff-arming your way through confused workers like Walter Peyton, beelining it for the nearest exit.

So what happened?

Well, we won’t go into questions of bravery and selflessness (clearly, that’s not your strong suit), but in today’s blog we will focus on the rise of lithium-ion battery fires, and why disposable vaping pens are one of their biggest sources.  

In fact, after banning disposable vapes this summer over concerns their lithium-ion batteries could ignite and harm users, UK authorities realized they’d merely replaced one problem with another.  The mass exodus of banned vapes into the waste stream only passed along the danger to landfills, garbage trucks and facilities, where lithium-ion battery fires are now a real threat.

And it’s no better on the homefront.  According to a recent report, the United States saw a huge uptick in lithium-ion battery fires this summer, with July logging 56 reported incidents.

Now granted, this might seem like chump change when you consider that nearly 500,000 disposable vapes are thrown away each day by Americans alone, but if you like those odds, and the risk of torching down your neighborhood doesn’t sway you, then maybe the disastrous effect disposable vapes have on the environment will.

Let’s take a look!

 

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

More than half the people who vape are blissfully unaware that their vaping device is powered by a lithium-ion battery, according to recent UL Standards & Engagement reports.  Still fewer understand the ticking time-bomb nature of these batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries may look harmless but they actually contain a flammable electrolyte that triggers something called ‘thermal runaway’ — an intense, sudden and fiery chain reaction that begins when punctures, overcharging, or excessive heat damage the battery.

And once triggered, the temperature inside the battery can reach temperatures beyond 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of moments, spreading to nearby materials like malaria in the tropics.

 

The Dangers of Disposable Vapes

Because disposable vapes are meant for short-term use, they’re ending up in all the wrong places (trash cans, landfills, sidewalks, parks, high-school bleachers, etc).  To make matters worse,  their lithium-ion batteries are causing fires in places you’d expect to be equipped to handle them, like recycling facilities. 

And the issue isn’t even incompetent staff; it’s the nature of the beast, unfortunately: the high volatility of lithium-ion batteries that make even the professionals struggle to manage.

 

Environmental Effects

And what about the environment?  Disposable vapes still wreak havoc on the environment even when they haven’t ignited.  Its battery slowly bleeds heavy metals and chemicals into the soil and water, threatening people and wildlife.

And if it explodes?  

Well, now the danger multiplies.  Lithium-ion battery fires are notoriously difficult to put out because they essentially feed themselves.  Lithium-ion batteries generate their own oxygen through chemical reactions once the fire starts.  Worse yet, the fumes released are toxic, very, posing a serious threat to anyone nearby.

 

A Flashy, Fiery Convenience

Today’s disposable vape has come a long way in a short amount of time, and what began as simply something to deliver nicotine, now features Bluetooth, LED display, even mini video games.

You don’t have to be a marketing expert to see how this targets young adults, whose vaping use rates have surged in recent years.  But behind these playful designs is a nasty truth: each disposable vape contains a lithium-ion battery capable of starting a fire without warning.

From an environmental perspective, the consequences are equally scary.  An estimated 30 tons of lithium are thrown away annually through disposable vapes.  That’s enough to power more than 3,000 electric vehicles, and as local governments grapple with the growing waste management costs and fire incidents, the call for regulatory oversight and public awareness has never been louder.

 

What Can Be Done?

But alas, if you must vape, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk of fires and polluting the environment.

 

1. Switch to refillable vapes with removable batteries

They’re built to last, designed for simple recharging, and created for responsible recycling at the end of their life.

 

2. Never throw away disposable vapes into the trash or recycling bin

These suckers are loaded with dangerous parts and lithium-ion batteries that can spark up if you crush or overheart them.

 

3. Store used vapes safely until disposal

Until you can safely dispose of them, keep your disposable vapes in a stable, dry spot and away from anything that could puncture or heat the battery.

 

4. Find a battery or e-waste drop-off site near you

You can drop off vape pens at recycling centers, electronic stores, or city-run hazardous waste facilities.

 

5. Support brands that support recycling programs

Some reputable vape brands offer mail-back or in-store drop-off options, so backing the ones committed to responsibly disposing of them is worth your support.

 

Conclusion

The rise of disposable vapes reflects a larger pattern we’ve been exploring for years in our blogs; namely, high-tech consumer convenience with little to no regard for the end-of-life impact.  Though small, these little devices pack a huge punch, triggering fires, polluting the environment, and continuing to waste critical resources like lithium.

We’re only at the beginning of truly understanding the true cost of the e-cig craze.  But unless we start treating lithium-ion batteries with the seriousness they deserve we’ll continue trading short-term convenience for long-term pain.