Management of Vaping Liquids, E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Waste
The Barrington Transfer Station cannot accept e-cigarettes or vaping devices!! Nicotine is considered an acute hazardous waste in New Hampshire! Specifically, nicotine in e-liquid cartridges or e-cigarette devices is regulated as a hazardous waste. This is due to it's toxicity and potential environmental harm.
If you have questions regarding these devices, please reach out to the Household Hazardous Waste Program at [email protected]. If businesses have questions, please direct them to the Hazardous Waste Helpline at 1-866-HAZ-WAST.
Here's why nicotine is considered hazardous waste in NH:Nicotine is listed under EPA's Hazardous Waste Code P075 as an acute hazardous waste.
E-cigarette and Vape Devices:Nicotine is a primary component of e-liquids used in e-cigarettes and vape devices, making these devices also considered hazardous waste when discarded.
Safe Disposal: Nicotine-containing e-liquids and devices should not be disposed of in regular trash or down the drain. Instead, they need to be disposed of properly at designated Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events or permanent facilities.
Do NOT put e-cigarettes in your household trash or recycling
The lithium batteries can become damaged and cause fires.
Nicotine is toxic and poses a risk to both workers and the environment.
DO take e-cigarettes to your household hazardous waste collection site
Many towns and counties have collection programs for household hazardous waste. Search online for household hazardous waste collections near you or contact your local solid waste agency.
Typically, household hazardous waste collections are free for residents.
The e-cigarettes will be managed safely and prevent fires and releases of harmful chemicals to the environment.
E-cigarettes contain nicotine and lithium batteries
A vape pen showing the portions that contain the two hazards.
E-cigarettes are sometimes called e-cigs, vapes, vape pens, e-hookahs, and electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS. Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items.
E-cigarettes contain nicotine and lithium batteries, making them hazardous waste.
Nicotine is toxic. Liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes can be easily absorbed by the skin, potentially causing nicotine poisoning with symptoms that include difficulty breathing, fainting, or seizures. Nicotine can also harm fish and other aquatic organisms.
Lithium batteries can catch fire, especially when damaged. When placed in household trash and recycling bins, lithium batteries often get damaged by trash compactors and can cause fires during transportation and at waste and recycling facilities.
Here are some links for more information on the handling of e-cigarettes and vape devices:
https://www.des.nh.gov/news-and-media/blog/e-cigarettes-and-vape-devices
https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/h...
https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/nh-school...
For more information on tobacco cessation:
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/population-health/tobacco-prev...
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents/2021-11/...