The Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center is doing free disposal for nicotine vapes and e-cigarettes. The city says nicotine vapes in particular raise safety concerns when thrown away improperly. â[The] nicotine and a battery combined in the same unit, that just requires a very unique special type of disposal,â Jane Wilch, Iowa Cityâs Recycling Coordinator said.
Wilch explains that, if damaged, batteries can combust and cause a fire — a problem seen across Iowa facilities. The liquid nicotine inside a pen is also toxic, especially with children. The Cleveland Clinic warns nicotine poisoning can come from skin contact — making proper disposal crucial.
Vapes collected at the site will be shipped off and incinerated, a job that costs about $700 a bucket. Vaping has become more popular in recent years, the CDC says 6.5% of adults were using e-cigarettes in 2023. That popularity reflects in the trash.