US States Move to Address Vape Waste Fire Risks
To address the fire risks posed by vape waste at recycling and waste disposal facilities, several US states are advancing legislation and pilot programs around 2026. The California Assembly passed a bill banning disposable vape pens; New Jersey reintroduced an extended producer responsibility (EPR) bill for vapes; and the Product Stewardship Institute is conducting pilot programs in New York and Missouri. Industry experts point out that the lithium-ion batteries built into vapes are difficult to identify during sorting and processing, and may leak nicotine and certain metals and other chemicals. Relevant associations will jointly hold a seminar on March 11th to discuss the latest research.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
- The California Assembly passed a bill last week to ban disposable vapes to reduce waste and facility fires.
- The New Jersey legislature recently reintroduced an extended producer responsibility (EPR) bill for vapes.
- The Product Stewardship Institute is conducting pilot programs in New York and Missouri to promote safer disposal of vape waste.
- Vapes, due to their built-in lithium-ion batteries and difficulty in identification during sorting and processing, are considered a significant cause of facility fires and may leak nicotine and certain metals.
- Ryan Fogelman, a partner at Fire Rover, estimates that 448 fire incidents were publicly reported at relevant facilities in the US and Canada; a webinar will be held on March 11th to discuss his latest research.
Legislative and Industry Response to the “Vape Effect”
February 5, 2026, according to WasteDive, state legislators and recycling organizations plan to address the safety issues posed by vape waste through new legislation, recycling programs, and educational campaigns in 2026, focusing on reducing fires at recycling and waste disposal facilities caused by the “vape effect.”
California and New Jersey Advance Vape Waste Legislation
The report states that the California Assembly passed a bill last week to ban disposable vapes, to reduce waste and prevent fires at waste and recycling facilities. Meanwhile, the New Jersey legislature recently reintroduced an extended producer responsibility (EPR) bill for vapes.
Pilot Programs Target Safer Vape Disposal
Pilot programs conducted by the Product Stewardship Institute in New York and Missouri also aim to manage this complex waste stream more safely.
Lithium-Ion Batteries Drive Fire Risks at Facilities
Vapes, due to their built-in lithium-ion batteries, are one of the leading causes of fires in waste and recycling facilities. These small devices are difficult to identify on tipping floors and in processing equipment and can leak harmful chemicals, including nicotine and certain metals. Meanwhile, users have limited options for safely disposing of these devices.
Fire Incident Data Highlights Growing Safety Concerns
Ryan Fogelman, a partner at Fire Rover, says the popularity of vapes, especially disposable models, is creating a “vape effect,” accelerating the increase in waste and recycling facility fires. Fogelman tracks publicly reported fire incidents at waste and recycling facilities in the US and Canada and reports 448 incidents in 2022, the worst year since he began compiling data in 2016.
Waste and Recycling Operators Bear the Impact
While facility fires can be caused by a variety of factors, Fogelman believes vapes are a growing source of fires in the waste and recycling industry and says waste and recycling operators are bearing the brunt of these risks.
Industry Associations Announce Joint Webinar and Research Efforts
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) announced a joint initiative last year to address the issue of lithium-ion battery disposal and expressed overall support for recycling programs and educational initiatives. SWANA and NWRA will host a webinar with Fogelman on March 11th to discuss his latest research on facility fires.
