SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – The rise of vapes, or e-cigarettes, over the past two decades as a smoking alternative has sparked concerns about their widespread use. As governments and regulators worldwide begin to address the addictive and potentially harmful nature of these products, Australia has taken a significant step by passing a pioneering bill to ban all vapes from general retail starting later this year.
One of the primary issues surrounding vapes is their environmental impact, particularly when it comes to disposal. With the majority of vapes being single-use, disposable products designed to attract younger users, the complex makeup of these devices presents challenges for recycling. These vapes, often discarded as electronic waste or littered on streets, contain valuable resources that are difficult to collect and recycle.
In a teardown analysis akin to studying anatomy, industrial designers and engineers dismantle depleted single-use vapes to examine the internal components. This process reveals insights into the materials, manufacturing processes, and technology used in these devices. It also sheds light on the repairability, upgradeability, and ease of disassembly for end-of-life recovery.
Disposable vapes, made primarily of aluminum and plastic, are not designed to be disassembled easily. Inside these devices, a lithium battery, pressure sensor, LED light, heating element, and e-liquid reservoir work together to create the vapor. Despite their single-use nature, these vapes contain high-power density lithium batteries that can still hold a charge capable of powering a light bulb for an extended period.
The pressure sensor in vapes functions similarly to a microphone, detecting changes in pressure when the device is used and activating the heating element. This element, located in the e-liquid reservoir, heats the liquid to create vapor for inhalation. The absorbent foam material in the reservoir holds the e-liquid, which typically contains propylene glycol, nicotine, and flavorings with potential health impacts.
As the consumption of vapes continues to increase, concerns grow over the accumulation of e-waste and its impact on the environment. Disposing of single-use vapes results in a loss of valuable materials like aluminum and lithium, posing fire hazards and toxic risks. Additionally, the complex composition of vapes makes recycling challenging, leading to wasteful resource management practices.