Vaping is an increasingly popular and successful method for smokers to put their habit behind them. With this increasaing adoption, the understanding of battery care and recycling is more important than ever. Proper maintenance of the battery in your vape kit is essential to ensure that you get the most lifespan out of your kit while knowing how to recycle will mean you’re doing your bit to reduce the impact on the environment. In this article, we’ll discuss how to safely use and care for the battery in your vape device and how to responsibly dispose of it.

Types of Vape Batteries

You are spoilt for choice with the wide range of vape kits on offer, everything from the discreet mouth to lung pod kits, disposables and cloud-chasing sub-ohm powerhouses. Each of these utilises some type of lithium battery that is either single-use or rechargeable and we’ll break down what you need to know to make sure these are properly looked after and, where they can go once they are done, let’s dig in.

Internal batteries

The battery is built into the vape device i.e, non-removable.

Found in disposable vapes refillable pod kits and Sub-ohm kits.

Power capacity ranges from 250 – 3000mAh.

They can take the form of a rechargeable battery with Type-C charging port located in the device.

Or can be found be precharged non-rechargeable batteries typically found in disposable vapes

External batteries

Categorised by their length and width eg: 18650 = W 18mm + L 65mm

Power capacity of 1800 – 3600mAh

Typically used in more powerful sub-ohm kits and mods

 

These batteries can be recharged in the kit using Type-C charing or by removing them and using a more efficient external battery charger.

You can purchase and charge additional batteries and keep them as a handy back up to keep you going for longer.

 

Battery Care Top Tips

Internal batteries

Use the correct charging plug or source and cable as stated by the manufacturer.

Avoid running the battery down completely or charging to full capacity – this may shorten the lifespan of the battery.

Avoid direct sunlight and avoid extreme temperatures and moisture.

Do not attempt to open your vape kit to access the battery.

Recycle the entire device at your nearest recycling center where it will be dismantled.

 

External batteries

Contact surfaces must be clean and dry every time you install the batteries.

+ and – terminals must be aligned correctly.

Use the correct charging equipment as specified by the manufacturer.

Remove the batteries if you are not going to be using your vape for several months.

Store spare batteries in a protective casing – loose batteries can spark a fire if they come into contact with coins or keys.

Keep your batteries in a dry place at room temperature. Avoid extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.

Do not attempt to recharge batteries unless they clearly state that they are rechargeable.

Leaking batteries will form a crystalline residue on the batteries – make sure you wrap and recycle these.

Check for damage to the the PVC covering – wrap and safely recycle if you find any cracks or tears.

How to recycle vapes and batteries

There are a number of good reasons to recycle your batteries instead of just throwing them away with general waste. Firstly, valuable lithium metal makes up the bulk of the battery, there is a finite amount of this on the planet and it should be recycled properly to ensure that it doesn’t go to waste. Another crucial factor to consider is the high power density of lithium batteries. If these batteries are not properly recycled, they can potentially ignite and cause fires if they are crushed or left exposed.

The good news is that you can recycle your old vape and batteries as electronic waste, even if you can’t remove the battery from the device, all you have to do is bag them and visit your local recycling centre which you can find online using a recycling locator.

Where can you recycle vapes and batteries?

Recycling collection of electrical waste – if you’re lucky, your local council may have a collection scheme for electronic waste recycling.

Local recycling centre – You can search online to find where your nearest electronic waste recycling centre is, bag your devices and batteries and drop them off.

Recycling banks – These are located on streets and in supermarkets across the UK and are emptied on a regular basis. A quick online search should tell you where your nearest one is located.

In-store at the place of purchase – it’s worth enquiring with the retailer you purchased your vape from as they may have their own collection point for battery recycling.

Disposables can be recycycle at either of our locations – Vape Superstore HQ, Vape Superstore Tottenham Street 

 

FAQ

Can I put my old vape in the bin?

Old vapes and batteries should NEVER just be thrown in with the general waste as there is a risk of fire if they spark or get crushed and they can also pollute waterways and the surrounding environment.

Why should I recycle my vape battery?

You should recycle your vape battery to prevent the waste of lithium, which is a rare and finite material, to minimise the impact your vaping lifestyle has on the environment and to prevent the risk of fires.

How do I travel safely with vape batteries?

There are a number of dos and don’ts to consider when you fly abroad with your vape device and we answer all your questions in our article dedicated to flying with vapes

Conclusion

Taking care of your vape batteries and ensuring they are recycled properly will ensure that you prolong their lifespan and is crucial to minimising the negative impact on the environment. Remember to always handle your batteries with care and look for your nearest electrical waste recycling center or collection point when they are at the end of their life. If you have any further queries about vape kits, batteries or chargers that you have purchased at Vape Superstore, please feel free to contact our customer support team.