Marathon County, Wis. – Concern over vaping has typically focused on health risks and youth addiction, but the Nicotine Prevention Alliance of Central Wisconsin and the Marathon County Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Partnership are raising awareness about another concern: the environmental dangers of vapes. Vape devices contain non-rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and e-liquid. When discarded, damaged batteries present fire hazards, and leaking e-liquid can contaminate the environment.

When a person runs out of battery or e-liquid, they often throw the vape away. E-liquid can leak into the ground and contaminate the environment with toxic chemicals. Vape batteries thrown into the regular trash or recycling pose a serious fire risk when they are damaged, crushed, or exposed to heat. “At the landfill we see at least one small fire a week from vapes and other lithium-ion battery devices,” said John Peralta, Environmental Health & Safety and Regulatory Compliance Specialist at Marathon County Solid Waste.

Commercial tobacco companies and vape shops are not held responsible for the safe disposal of these products, so most people do not have any other option than to throw them away.

Dispose of vape products the right way during April! Community members may discard their vape products for FREE at the Marathon County Health Department, 1000 Lake View Drive, Suite 100, in Wausau anytime during open hours in April (Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm). The Marathon County Health Department, in partnership with Marathon County Solid Waste, will ensure the products are disposed of safely.  

Community members interested in addressing the impact of commercial tobacco and nicotine can contact Courtney Tvedten at Courtney.Tvedten@marathoncounty.gov or visit https://centralwinicotinefree.org/ for more resources.