Old pods, used coils and worn-out kits tend to pile up in drawers, and it is tempting to drop them in the kitchen bin. Knowing how to recycle vapes properly matters, because every device contains a lithium battery and electronic parts that should never go in household rubbish. This guide explains where adult vapers in the UK can take old kits, what to do with pods and coils, and how to store spent devices safely until you get the chance to drop them off.
Why Vapes Should Never Go in the Bin
Under UK rules, vapes count as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), whether they are single-use or reusable. That means they belong in the electricals recycling stream, not general waste or your plastics box.
The main concern is the battery. When bin lorries and recycling machinery crush lithium cells, they can overheat and catch fire. Durham County Council, for example, reported a series of bin lorry fires linked to vapes and batteries and warned that even a battery you think is dead could still start a fire.
There is a resource angle too. Vape batteries and circuit boards contain lithium, copper and other materials that can be recovered when the device reaches a proper recycling facility.
How to Recycle Vapes: Your UK Options
You have three main routes for vape recycling in the UK. Which one suits you depends on what you are getting rid of and where you live.
- Retailer take-back. Shops that sell vapes have to offer a take-back service. The GOV.UK guidance on the single-use vapes ban states that retailers must accept returned vapes and parts such as used pods, coils and batteries, including single-use vapes handed back after the ban began. If you bought online, contact the retailer you bought from about their take-back arrangements.
- Household waste recycling centres. Most council tips have a small electricals or battery container. Check your council website before you go, as some sites ask you to separate batteries from other items.
- Community and supermarket collection points. Many supermarkets have battery recycling bins near the entrance, and some councils run dedicated vape or small electricals drop-off points in libraries and community buildings.
Kerbside collection varies widely. A few councils collect small electricals on bin day, but many do not, so never assume a vape can go out with your recycling unless your council says so.
Recycling Each Part of Your Vape Kit
A refillable vape is made of several parts, and each one is handled slightly differently.
The Device and Battery
The main body of a pod kit holds the battery and chip, so it is the most important part to recycle correctly. A rechargeable kit such as the Uwell Caliburn G3 Pod Kit, which has a 900mAh built-in battery, should last a long time with sensible care, but when it finally stops holding a charge it needs to go to an electricals collection point, not the bin. Our vape battery safety tips cover how to look after a battery so it lasts as long as possible.
Smaller devices count too. The Aspire Gotek X Pod Kit is compact, with a 650mAh built-in battery, but it is still an electrical item. Size does not change how it should be disposed of.
Pods and Coils
Used pods and coils are small and easy to forget, but they are listed in the government guidance as parts retailers should accept back. Pods with built-in coils, such as the OXVA Xlim V3 replacement pods, contain metal coil wire and wicking as well as plastic, so keep them with your other vape waste rather than in household recycling.
If you are not sure when a pod or coil is finished, our guide on how often to replace a vape coil explains the signs. You can browse replacement vape coils by device if you need to match a part to your kit.
E-Liquid Bottles
Empty e-liquid bottles are plastic, but they may hold traces of nicotine. Make sure a bottle is as empty as possible and the cap is back on. Then check your council’s guidance, as rules for small plastic bottles differ from area to area. Never pour leftover nicotine e-liquid down the sink.
How to Store Old Vapes Before Recycling
Most people collect a few items before making a trip, which is sensible as long as you store them safely:
- Keep used devices in a cool, dry place away from direct heat, radiators and sunlight.
- Store them in a small box or tub, away from loose coins, keys and other metal items.
- Remove pods from devices where possible, and drain any leftover liquid.
- Do not try to open a sealed device or remove a built-in battery yourself.
- Set aside any device that looks swollen, damaged or hot. Stop using it and take it to a collection point promptly rather than leaving it in a drawer.
- Keep all vaping products, used or new, out of reach of children and pets. E-liquids and most vapes contain nicotine.
Reusable Kits and Less Waste
Since 1 June 2025, single-use vapes can no longer be sold in the UK. A vape now has to have a rechargeable battery and a refillable pod, tank or cartridge, with a replaceable coil where it has one. For adult vapers this means fewer whole devices being thrown away, because you replace small parts rather than the entire kit.
If you are still getting used to a refillable setup, our guide on how to switch from disposables walks through the basics. You can also compare rechargeable options in our pod kits collection. For a wider look at the current rules, see our overview of UK vape regulations.
Vape Recycling FAQs
Can I put a vape in my household recycling bin?
No, unless your council specifically runs a small electricals kerbside collection. Vapes contain lithium batteries, which can cause fires in bin lorries and recycling plants. Use a retailer take-back service, a household waste recycling centre or a dedicated collection point instead.
Do vape shops have to take back old vapes?
Yes. GOV.UK guidance says retailers that sell vapes must offer a take-back service and accept returned vapes and parts such as used pods, coils and batteries. This includes single-use vapes returned after the ban came in.
How do I dispose of a vape battery that is swollen or damaged?
Stop using it straight away and do not charge it. Keep it somewhere cool and away from anything flammable, then take it to a household waste recycling centre or battery collection point as soon as you can. Never put it in the bin.
Can I recycle vape pods and coils?
Yes. Pods and coils should go back to a retailer or to an electricals collection point, not into household plastics recycling, because they contain metal coil parts and may hold nicotine residue.
This article is for adults aged 18 and over. Vaping products are not suitable for under-18s, non-smokers, or anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional. Most vapes and e-liquids contain nicotine, which is addictive.
