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Stop the Toxic Waste Crisis Created by Single Use Vapes

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Sponsor: The Rainforest Site

Every discarded vape pollutes our planet, poisons wildlife, and fuels youth addiction. Help us protect the environment, safeguard public health, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Stop the Toxic Waste Crisis Created by Single Use Vapes

Single-use disposable vapes are fueling a growing environmental disaster. These small devices, marketed as convenient and trendy, leave behind a toxic legacy. Every year, billions of them are discarded worldwide, creating mountains of waste that harm ecosystems, squander critical resources, and poison public health1.

A Toxic Threat to the Environment

Disposable vapes are made with non-biodegradable plastics, lithium-ion batteries, and hazardous e-liquid containing nicotine. When improperly discarded, they leach toxic substances into soil and waterways, endangering wildlife and ecosystems. Lithium-ion batteries, essential for green technologies, are wasted by the tonne annually. The lithium thrown away each year in discarded vapes alone could power 1,200 electric vehicles2.

These devices contribute to a broader e-waste crisis. Vape litter pollutes beaches, streets, and oceans, breaking down into microplastics that harm marine life and contaminate the food chain3. The hazardous materials they contain, including heavy metals and nicotine, make them difficult and costly to recycle, yet most end up in landfills or incinerators4.

An Epidemic of Youth Addiction

Beyond the environmental consequences, disposable vapes are driving a surge in youth nicotine addiction. Their sleek designs, flavored e-liquids, and accessibility make them appealing to young people. In the U.S., nearly one in five high school students used e-cigarettes in 20203. Disposable vapes, now the most popular format among teens, create a new generation dependent on nicotine, threatening long-term health outcomes1.

No Easy Solutions

Despite their significant environmental and social costs, disposable vapes lack proper end-of-life solutions. Recycling facilities are not equipped to handle the toxic components of vapes, and manufacturers provide little to no guidance on safe disposal2. Over 73% of e-cigarette users find it difficult to recycle these products, while nearly half admit to throwing them in the trash3.

Efforts to address the issue have fallen short. Federal regulations on e-cigarette waste are outdated and fail to keep up with the rising tide of disposable vape consumption. Without decisive action, these products will continue to flood landfills and pollute ecosystems, harming wildlife and human health alike4.

Take Action Now

We cannot afford to ignore the growing crisis of disposable vape waste. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the power to enact meaningful change by banning single-use disposable vapes. Such a ban would reduce pollution, conserve resources, and curb youth addiction.

By acting now, we can protect the environment, safeguard public health, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Together, we can demand change and hold manufacturers accountable for the harm their products cause.

Sign the petition today and join the fight for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.

More on this issue:

  1. John Daley, NPR (29 November 2019), "Don’t Toss That E-Cig: Vaping Waste Is A Whole New Headache For Schools and Cities."
  2. Wildlife and Countryside Link (March 2023), "The Environmental case for Banning Disposable Vapes - Wildlife and Countryside Link briefing."
  3. Truth Initiative (8 March 2021), "A toxic, plastic problem: E-cigarette waste and the environment."
  4. PIRG (11 July 2023), "Vape Waste: The environmental harms of disposable vapes."

The Petition

To the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,

We, the undersigned, call upon the FDA to take immediate action to ban single-use disposable vapes. These products are fueling an environmental, public health, and societal crisis that demands urgent attention.

Every year, billions of disposable vapes are discarded, contributing to mounting e-waste and plastic pollution. These devices contain lithium-ion batteries, plastics, and toxic chemicals, including nicotine, which leach into soil and waterways, harming ecosystems and wildlife. The lack of recycling options and clear disposal guidance only exacerbates the problem, creating a waste stream that our planet cannot sustain.

Disposable vapes are especially appealing to youth due to their sleek designs, flavored e-liquids, and affordability. Studies have shown a surge in nicotine addiction among teens and young adults, threatening long-term health outcomes. By banning single-use vapes, we can curb their easy access to these harmful products and protect future generations from addiction.

We urge the FDA to prioritize environmental health, public health, and sustainability by banning single-use disposable vapes. This decisive step would reduce pollution, conserve valuable resources, and deter youth from initiating nicotine addiction.

This ban will foster a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all. By taking action now, you can demonstrate leadership in protecting our environment, safeguarding public health, and ensuring a legacy of responsibility and care for future generations.

Sincerely,

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