Introduction
When it comes to vaping, there is growing concern on the possible environmental impact created, especially with regard to disposable vapes. Here at Royal Flush Vape, sustainability is at the forefront of our priorities, both as a company and a team, we are working hard to reduce our carbon footprint wherever possible.
As we continue to take leaps forward in reducing our environmental impact, we want to share our vision with you and help you vape greener, which in many areas could also improve your vaping experience, whilst making your vaping products last longer.
Our ultimate guide to greener vaping offers complete guidance on the impact vape related products may have on the environment, with actionable steps to reduce your own carbon footprint, whilst ensuring you get the most out of your vaping purchases, which will save you money in the long run.
Summary: To reduce your impact on the environment with eco-friendly vaping, switch to more sustainable devices if not already, and increase their lifespan with regular cleaning and correct use. Always recycle what you can and bulk up on orders from stores working to reduce their carbon emissions.
Vaping vs. Smoking for the environment
Although there is a growing trend in negative press related to vaping, in particular disposable vapes and the environment, you may not completely understand the carbon footprint that smoking cigarettes creates.
Environmental impact of smoking
According to National Geographic, around 4.5 trillion cigarettes are discarded each year worldwide, making them one of the most littered items on earth. Unfortunately, cigarette butts aren't usually recycled due to "98% of cigarette filters [being] made of plastic fibers". Tom Novotny, an epidemiologist at San Diego State University highlights that:
"there's still widespread misunderstanding about what [filters] are made of - A lot of smokers think it's biodegradable already"
In addition to carbon dioxide emissions, Cancer Research highlight that cigarettes release over 5,000 different chemicals when burnt, in addition discarded cigarette butts can leach these chemicals into water if contacted where they can remain for up to 10 years. Novotny states from his findings that "one cigarette butt in a litre [of water] kills half the fish".
Although cigarettes do not contain electronic components, especially lithium-ion batteries, it's clear that the act of smoking, alongside discarding cigarette butts has been a growing problem that greatly impacts the environment negatively, with the option of recycling limited.
Environmental impact of vaping
Vaping materials are made up of many components including batteries, metal, rubber seals, and glass. Although there are significantly more components to electronic cigarettes, they fall under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) which means that they should be recycled either through household recycling, or at the shop the product was purchased.
Unfortunately, when it comes to disposable vapes, there is growing concern. Research carried out by Material Focus identified that 1.3 million single use vapes are thrown away each week. The research further highlighted that 50% of single use vapes are thrown away which we strongly believe needs to change. Especially when these components could be recycled to avoid ending up the environment.
Here at Royal Flush Vape we are committed to minimising both our carbon footprint, and our customers. For this reason, we completely adhere to the WEEE regulations to reduce our environmental impact within the vaping industry and beyond. If you purchase any electronic product from us, we will safely dispose of your product for you to minimise environmental impact.
To help you limit your own environmental impact of vaping, we highlight below in-depth on ways to minimise your carbon footprint, whilst maximizing your vaping experience.
Minimising your carbon footprint
From switching to more sustainable vape kits, increasing lifespan of your products, or recycling your older devices, there are many ways in which you can minimise your carbon footprint when it comes to vaping. In this section we go into detail on ways to vape greener, whilst possibly improving your vaping experience and saving money at the same time.
Switch to a sustainable vape
Although disposable vapes and pod kits that use pre-filled pods are perfect for on the go vaping, whilst being great for beginner vaping, it's no surprise that these products can increase the amount of waste when compared to other alternatives available.
If you've managed to quit smoking with disposable devices, or they simply keep you away from cigarettes, we're not here to judge you, if anything we're glad to hear that they've helped you find a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes.
"the current best estimate is that e-cigarettes are around 95% less harmful than smoking" - Public Health England (PHE)
If you're considering the environmental impact of disposable devices, then we're here to help you reduce your carbon footprint. Below we outline popular disposable devices and products that you may already be using, with guidance on how to move to a greener alternative and reduce the amount of waste.
Disposable vape alternatives
If you're currently vaping disposable devices, we would advise you to consider making the switch to a greener alternative, such as vape kits that offer pre-filled pods. Devices that use pre-filled pods means that you will only be replacing the pod each time, instead of disposing of the battery and other components too.
Much like disposable vapes, pre-filled pod kits provide convenience and simplicity, whilst offering the same great flavours that you'll be used to thanks to the manufacturers behind disposables expanding their collection into pre-filled pods.
Best pre-filled vape kits:
Pre-filled pod alternatives
The next step away from pre-filled pods is a device that offers a fixed coil pod. These pods provide the ability to re-fill your pod with e-liquid until you get the most out of the fixed coil included.
Fixed coil pod devices offer a greener alternative to disposables and pre-filled pods due to lasting much longer than a single use. If you vape regularly, your environmental impact will be reduced significantly thanks to re-using pods with built in coils in the long run.
Best fixed-coil vape kits
Pre-installed coil alternatives
If you're looking to reduce your impact on the environment, save money, or wanting to completely customise your vaping experience, a vape kit that provides replaceable coils and pods, whilst offering recharging and refilling capabilities is the way to go.
Refillable vape kits that offer individual coils are the most environmentally friendly vape kits that you can currently get. Providing the most cost effective vaping device, whilst reducing the amount of waste created, these device are definitely the way to go.
The only waste on one of these devices is the coil and e-liquid bottles, which can often be recycled. By re-using the pod and device, these refillable devices offer both re-filling and re-charging functions. Considering you prolong the life of your vape (see more below), you should greatly reduce your carbon footprint, especially if moving from disposable vapes.
Best overall vape kits:
Whichever vape you decide to use on your smoke-free journey, Royal Flush Vape are here to support you and help you make the right decisions when it comes to remaining smoke-free, with a "much healthier alternative to smoking" - Public Health England (PHE).
We do advise that you think about your carbon footprint, however only you will know yourself what vaping device and e-liquid works best for you. If you are still looking for ways to limit your environmental impact and not sure what device would be best for you, please be sure to reach out us where a member of our team will be happy to help you.
Prolong the life of your vaping equipment
If you're already using a more sustainable device such as refillable pod kit or sub ohm vape kit, there are simple steps that you can take to extend the life of your products. By prolonging the lifespan of your vaping products, you will not only save money, but also lessen your impact on the environment.
Routine cleaning
If your vape kit uses refillable pods or a tank, it's important to ensure that you clean them regularly to remove any debris or e-liquid that may have leaked. By simply wiping any excess e-liquid that has leaked into the device from the pod or tank, you will reduce the potential of liquid getting into the battery and causing damage.
When it comes to tanks and coils, if you've been vaping older e-liquid that has created a burnt out coil, or you are changing to a completely different flavour, we advise removing the tank from the battery, and coil from the tank before giving it a rinse out with water and letting it dry. By cleaning your tank, you may increase lifespan of a new coil, whilst also reducing any damage to o-rings or seals on the tank.
We strongly advise against using any cleaning products that contain chemicals as this could potentially cause harm if vaped or swallowed. Simple paper towels work great to remove e-liquid from a device, or regular tap water to swill out a tank or pod.
E-liquids choice
There are many ways in which your choice of e-liquid can impact the lifespan of your coils or pod. E-liquids that contain higher amounts of sweetener can possibly reduce the lifespan of your coils by causing them to burn out quicker.
By selecting a flavour with less sweetener, you will save money whilst also being more environmentally friendly. If you are unsure on what e-liquids to select, please be sure to reach out to us, we'd be more than happy to help you make a more sustainable choice.
Preparing coil or pod correctly
When it comes to changing your coil or pod, it's important to ensure that you prepare them correctly to increase their lifespan whilst improving your vaping experience. Always allow a few minutes after filling with e-liquid for your coil to soak up e-liquid, as vaping on a dry coil will cause it burn out prematurely.
If you are using a device that uses replaceable coils you can always drip e-liquid on the outer exposed cotton of a new coil before inserting to ensure that you completely soak your coil before vaping, although still ensure to wait a few minutes after filling the pod before vaping.
Increasing device & battery lifespan
Whether your vape device has a built-in battery, or uses external batteries, there are many ways in which you can increase their lifespan to avoid disposing of batteries early.
Built-in battery
Devices that use a built-in battery provide simplicity, without the need of charging batteries externally. To ensure that you get the most out of your internal batteries, there are a few areas in which you extend their lifespan.
Always make sure to use a high quality charging cable that is capable of charging your device safely, if you're unsure, simply use the one that comes with your vape kit if provided. Although it can be tempting to take your device off charge early, if you frequently put your device on and off charge, you can cause early battery degradation which will reduce the lifespan of your device.
External battery
Although the majority of vape kits that cater for external battery use provide built-in USB charging, there are a few ways in which you can extend the lifespan of your batteries.
In addition to following everything highlighted above for built-in batteries, the use of an optimised battery charger can help lengthen the lifespan of your external batteries. By using an external battery charger, your batteries will receive a more optimal charge, whilst removing added wear and tear on your device itself.
Re-use before recycling
Although we've highlighted vape kits that offer reusable components, there may come a time when you look to replace your device with an upgrade, or because of general wear and tear.
When it comes to replacing your vape kit, rather than throwing away or recycling, you could reduce your impact on the environment further by passing it on to a friend who also vapes, or is looking to quit smoking. We only advise this if the device is still in working order and has been thoroughly cleaned beforehand. If your'e unsure, you could offer a cleaned device to somebody so they would only have to purchase a pod or tank.
Recycle vape kits & e-liquids
Regardless of what vape device you are using, there will come a point where you will decide to replace your current setup, either if you've had it for years and it has degraded with wear and tear, or you just simply want to upgrade to a newer device.
When it does come to this time, it's important to recycle what you can to minimise negative environmental impact. In this section we highlight different components of electronic-cigarettes and how you can recycle them. Remember that vaping electronics are covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). If you're unsure about any of the following, then please be sure to contact the store you purchased your deivce(s) from to enquire how you can recycle with them.
Before recycling anything vape related, it's important to ensure that you clean them to remove any nicotine or e-liquid, by doing so you will remove any chemicals that could be harmful to the environment.
How to recycle disposable vapes
Disposable vapes are one of the most compact vaping products available with many components which can make them difficult to recycle at home, especially with them created as a sealed unit. If possible, you can separate the metal, plastic and cotton components to individually recycle each component separately.
If you are unsure on how to separate a disposable vape for recycling, then the best option is to return them to where you purchased them from for them to recycle under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive. Here at Royal Flush Vape we completely adhere to WEEE regulations whilst working alongside Green Wings Project to provide secure battery recycling points in all of our stores.
How to recycle e-liquid bottles
E-liquid bottles are one of the easiest vape related products to recycle, and can be done so through household recycling. It's important not to throw e-liquid bottles in general waste and to recycle them through your plastic recycling bin. Please be sure to rinse out bottles before recycling as some liquids may cause harm to the environment if exposed to it.
How to recycle batteries & devices
Batteries that can be removed may be recycled at home, only if your local authority accepts batteries as part of their home recycling scheme. If you want to find out if this is possible in your area, then please check out Recycle Now here.
If you cannot recycle batteries at home, or your device does not have batteries that can be removed separately, then we would advise the same as recycling disposable vapes above. Simply return your used batteries or device to where you purchased them from. If you are recycling batteries separately, recycle battery bins are also available in supermarkets throughout the UK.
How to recycle coils & pods
Similar to e-liquid bottles, before you recycle coils or pods, it's important to ensure that they are cleaned to remove any e-liquid from them to protect the environment.
Unfortunately, similar to disposable vapes, pre-filled pods are created as a sealed unit making it difficult to separate components to recycle. If you can remove the coil, you can then recycle the plastic pods and separate the cotton from the coil to recycle the metal separately.
For vape tanks and pods that offer replaceable coils, the same applies. Separate all components such as the plastic and metal to recycle in corresponding bins. Parts such as cotton, rubber seals and silicone are unfortunately non-recyclable and therefore would need to go into general waste.
Shop online environmentally
Thanks to the convenience of online shopping, it's now easier than ever to order your vaping products and e-liquids online. When it comes to ordering online, there are many things to take into consideration when looking to minimise your carbon footprint.
Bulk orders
If you're purchasing products online that you know you may purchase again soon, you can reduce your impact on the environment by bulking up your order if can afford to. You could also place an order with a friend or family member to limit to one shipment and packaging. By placing a bulk order, you may also save money with options such as multi buy savings.
Eco-friendly retailers
One of the most important ways to shop environmentally is to ensure that you purchase from eco-friendly retailers, and those working hard to reduce their carbon footprint wherever possible. From sustainable packaging and shipping processes, to the delivery providers they use, there are many ways to check how a retailer is making an impact.
Here at Royal Flush Vape, we are truly commited to reducing the impact of our products and services. Working alongside couriers also committed to reducing their environmental impact, we also plant trees to offset the impact of our packaging and printed marketing material, whilst using a 100% paperless picking process and digital receipts to our retail customers to name just a few ways we are working hard on minimising our impact.
Avoid returns
There may be times where you have no other option than to return your order, or parts of it. However to be as eco-friendly as possible, we advise to read up on anything new you want to purchase to ensure that you are certain that you are set on that particular model or flavour, by doing so you will minise the chances of you returning or replacing anything, which will of course result in less shipping and packaging.
How to be an eco-friendly vaper
By following our greener vaping guide, you should now have a much greater understanding on the potential impact that vaping may have on the environment, and most importantly how to minimise your impact to reduce your own carbon footprint. In a world surrounded by consumable products and digital accessories, it's often hard to know what's best to remain eco-friendly. However we hope that the information provided in this article has provided thought to be more eco-friendly on your vaping journey.
Royal Flush Vape Commitment
Here at Royal Flush Vape we are committed to reducing the impact of our products and services, whether online or in store, we're working hard to lesson our carbon footprint and work closer towards a carbon neutrality. As we continue to improve our services and reduce waste, we are on course to our carbon neutral targets.
Over the past year we have:
- Planted 78 trees to offset CO2 emisions from our website, whilst planting one tree for every 65 orders placed to offset the impact of our packaging and marketing material.
- Adopted 100% paperless warehouse picking and switched to e-receipts throughout our retail stores.
- Dispatched customer orders only with couriers that share the same environmental commitment as us. Mainly Royal Mail who now deliver two out of three parcels by foot, whilst also DPD who have a 100% carbon neutral commitment.
- Recycled hundreds of disposable vapes and batteries under our WEEE policy.
Over the next 12 months we plan to:
- Offset the emissions directly related our team, like their office space, electricity at work, food, small office material and short distance travel.
- Switch to 100% LED lighting throughout our chain of stores and warehouse locations.
- Continue promoting our recycle campaigns to encourage our customers to switch to re-usable devices.
- Switch to carrier bags that are recyclable in all of our stores.
Conclusion
By reading our ultimate guide to greener vaping, you should now have a much greater understanding of the impact vaping may have on the environment if correct recycling of waste is not followed. Although we can only advise on the best recycling practices when it comes to vaping, we hope that you join us on a much more eco-friendly journey, so together we can reduce our carbon footprint.
Here at Royal Flush Vape, we are dedicated as a team to do everything in our power to protect the environment. We understand the importance that vaping has for those looking to quit smoking, however also acknowledge the possible environmental negatives related to disposable products. We hope that this guide helps you make a greener choice, and move away from disposable vapes. However, if you have any further queries regarding your carbon footprint through vaping, then please be sure to reach out.
Disclaimer: The content on www.royalflushvape.co.uk offers general insights about vaping and vape related products. Please be aware that this information is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice and should only be relied upon when explicitly referenced. We make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, reliability, or health-related advantages of the content displayed across all pages of our website, including blog posts, product pages and social media content.
