More options available to recycle e-cigarette waste
New Zealanders who vape can now responsibly dispose of their e-cigarette waste in two ways: drop off at Vapo stores or
send their collected waste for free through the post.
Last December, leading vape suppliers, Vapo and Alt New Zealand, partnered with global recycling pioneers, TerraCycle,
to offer the first programme of its kind to recycle vaping devices and pods.
At the time, participants could drop their waste off at the eleven Vapo stores in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and
Nelson. Beginning today, the items can now also be collected at home and sent through the post.
To recycle from home, participants simply sign up to the programme at www.terracycle.com, collect their waste in any available cardboard box (up to four batteries per shipment), print off a free shipping
label then drop it off at their nearest post office. Additionally, for every kilogram of vaping equipment sent to
TerraCycle, Vapo and Alt will donate $1 towards the charity Sustainable Coastlines – which works to keep New Zealand’s
coastlines beautiful.
A growing problem in New Zealand, e-cigarette waste is particularly difficult to recycle due to the complexity of
separating out the different materials. However, when Vapo first approached TerraCycle for a recycling solution for
their products, General Manager Jean Bailliard rose to the challenge.
“The process of recycling e-waste is far more complex than traditional forms of waste, however it is not impossible. As
TerraCycle’s mission is to eliminate the idea of waste, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to prove that technically,
everything is recyclable.”
“We will turn the waste into new products such as outdoor furniture, something we have done many times in the past. This
moves waste from a linear system to a circular one, allowing it to keep cycling in our economy,” Bailliard said.
Whether the materials come through store drop off or through the mail, TerraCycle will then disassemble and separate Alt
and Vapo Haiz vaping devices into their different metal/electrical components, batteries and plastics. The plastics are
then shredded and melted into pellets that can be remolded to make new recycled products such as garden beds, and park
benches, while the metals and batteries are separated and recovered.
This process will potentially save millions of pods, e-waste and batteries from ending up in New Zealand’s environment.
Jonathan Devery, co-director of Vapo and Alt New Zealand alongside Ben Pryor, said the company remained steadfastly
committed to leading e-cigarette recycling in New Zealand.
“Over summer people have been dropping off their devices and pods at our Vapo stores to be recycled. However, now having
the option of free-posting old componentry will suit more vapers and encourage others to do the right thing.
“We don’t want to be like the billion-dollar tobacco industry. They are the ones who should be investing in waste
reduction programmes, but of course they’re not. Instead, it takes a Kiwi-owned vape company to commit to a more
sustainable future as well as a smoke-free country,” said Mr Devery.
Mr Pryor said Vapo and Alt will continue to develop and announce other positive environmental initiatives.
“We’re proud of this ground-breaking recycling programme here in New Zealand, and we will work closely with TerraCycle
to continually expand and improve it. We’re also delighted to donate to Sustainable Coastlines to support their great
work,” said Mr Pryor.
www.vapo.co.nzAbout TerraCycle
TerraCycle is an innovative waste management company with a mission to eliminate the idea of waste. Operating nationally
across 21 countries, TerraCycle partners with leading consumer product companies, retailers and cities to recycle
products and packages, from dirty diapers to cigarette butts, that would otherwise end up being landfilled or
incinerated. In addition, TerraCycle works with leading consumer product companies to integrate hard to recycle waste
streams, such as ocean plastic, into their products and packaging. Its new division, Loop, is the first shopping system
that gives consumers a way to shop for their favorite brands in durable, reusable packaging. TerraCycle has won over 200
awards for sustainability and has donated over $44 million to schools and charities since its founding more than 15
years ago and was named #10 in Fortune magazine’s list of 52 companies Changing the World. To learn more about
TerraCycle or get involved in its recycling programmes, please visit