Having a vape pen or e-cig is a fun way to enjoy your herbs and concentrates, but have you ever wondered what happens with specific parts of your vaporizer once they’re used up?

Have you thought about recycling your vape batteries?

If not, you might want to give it a thought, as recycling vape batteries contributes to a healthier environment and is part of being a responsible vape user.

In this article, we’ll shed light on the key reasons for recycling vape batteries. But before we dive into this, let’s cover the basics first.

What is a Vape Battery?

An external battery is simply a battery that doesn’t come pre built-in to your vaporizer. Like any other battery you use on a daily basis, they have two ends — the positive and negative one — through which the current flows when you attach both pieces to the core.

The most common type of battery used in vaporizers and e-cigs is the 18650. Such batteries may come in different sizes to suit specific models, but they all have the same basic design and performance mechanism.

The most important features of vape batteries are the aforementioned positive and negative terminals. They’re pretty easy to identify; the negative end is totally flat, and the positive and has a little tip on the top or a smaller elevated terminal.

Here are the main differences between internal vs external vape batteries:

Internal Vape Batteries:

Easy learning curve
No fitting needed
Compatibility guaranteed

External Vape Batteries:

Extend the life of your device
Wider choice of batteries
External charging
Can be attached to many different devices (as long as they operate on the same battery).

Now, let’s say you’ve gone above and beyond to take care of your battery’s safety for its entire lifetime but its days are finally over.

What now?

Should you dump it down the trash?

How about recycling your vape batteries?

Recycling Vape Batteries 101: What You Need to Know

Recycling vape batteries comes with many benefits, with the most important benefit to the environment.

In this section, we’ll cover everything there is to know about the purpose of recycling vape batteries and what this process looks like.

Off we go!

Why Recycle Vape Batteries?

There are several reasons to recycle your vape batteries.

First of all, it prevents potential hazardous substances from getting into the stream of waste on our planet. Landfills are chock full of waste — why add more bad stuff to that pile?

In addition, you protect yourself from those hazards. This isn’t going to happen when you keep the used battery in your trash, as the hazards will stay there with you.

Last but not least, proper disposal will help salvage natural resources and keep them in circulation for much longer.

When Should You Recycle Your Vape Battery?

As soon as you notice that your battery is no longer as potent as it used to be.

There are certain symptoms that might prompt you to get rid of the old piece, such as:

Full charges lasting you for much shorter than before
The output from your vape is smaller
Longer recharging time

Other than that, you should only replace your battery with a new model after a year, over 300 charges, or when they reach 50% of their life.

Hot to Recycle a Vape Battery

Recycling vape batteries may be confusing on your own. Thankfully, there are companies specializing in such tasks, so once know it’s time to say farewell to your battery, browse your options online and choose the right company to utilize the waste.

Shipping Vape Batteries for Recycling

Before you ship the battery for recycling, you need to have a case or container to place it in. Make sure the container is tightly sealed for safer transportation. There are also pre-made shipping kits you can buy online.

Dropping Them Off

If you don’t feel confident about shipping your vape batteries, simply drop them off! You can use one of the online locators to find places that accept vape batteries for salvaging.

Of course, you’ll still need to carry the batteries to your destination personally.

Get your battery cases and head on to the nearest station — the added benefit is that they will return the cases. This isn’t going to happen with shipped batteries.

What Happens With Recycled Vape Batteries?

The process is very interesting! Batteries contain plenty of resources that we can further reuse. A vape battery can be used to make silverware, cooking materials, and golf clubs.

The general idea behind recycling vape batteries is to get rid of the chemical byproducts according to the international recycling standard. Only then will the salvageable material be accepted for further processing.

Here’s what the process looks like:

The salvaging station collects the material. As mentioned, you can either ship them or drop them off.
Then the material is recorded and sorted. The batteries usually get logged and then sorted according to how they should be processed.
The batteries are processed and recovered, separating the aforementioned chemicals from the salvageable material. The end product is re-purposed for production.

Final Thoughts On Recycling Vape Batteries

A high-quality battery can serve you for a few hundred sessions if handled properly. As with any electronic devices, vaporizers and e-cigs require regular and scrutinous maintenance if you want them to provide you with a top-shelf experience.

However, all good things must come to an end, and this rule also applies to vape batteries. If you’re thinking about throwing the battery into your trash bin and then sending it away to top another landfill, you may want to reconsider your decision.

Recycling vape batteries is safer for both you and the environment. But the best part about it is that you don’t have to recycle them yourself. You can find a salvaging station that will do this job for you.

Do you have any old vape batteries in your drawer? Now you know what to do with them. We’re keeping our fingers crossed!

Vaping

Recycling Vape Batteries 101