How to recycle vapes in the UK.
Old pod kits in the kitchen drawer, a bag of used pods, a battery that's seen better days. Sooner or later every vaper ends up with kit they don't need, and the bin is not the place for it.
Here's where to take old vapes, pods, coils and batteries in the UK, what the rules say shops have to do, and how to get everything ready so recycling takes two minutes.
Short version? Here you go.
Why vapes can't go in the bin.
A vape is a small electrical item with a lithium battery inside. That changes everything about how you get rid of it.
When a vape goes in your general rubbish or your recycling bin, it ends up crushed in a bin lorry or at a waste site. A crushed or punctured lithium battery can overheat and catch fire, and bin lorry and waste site fires caused by binned batteries are a growing problem across the UK.
There's a second reason too: vapes are full of useful materials. Recycle Your Electricals, the national campaign run by Material Focus, says up to 80% of a vape's materials can be recycled, including the lithium, copper and other metals inside.
Look for the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol on your device or its packaging. It means the item must not go in general rubbish. Pop old vapes in a bag or box set aside for electricals until you're ready to drop them off.
What vape shops have to do.
This is the bit most vapers don't know. Under the UK's electrical waste rules, any business that sells vapes must offer a take-back service. The government's guidance says shops must accept vapes and vape parts, such as used pods, coils or batteries, that customers return for recycling. That includes old single-use vapes left over from before the June 2025 ban.
It applies whether a retailer sells in store or online. Vape retailers also can't opt out of their own take-back by paying into the general Distributor Take Back Scheme that some other electrical shops use, so the responsibility stays with the shop that sells vapes.
In practice that means the easiest place to recycle your old kit is usually the same place you buy your new kit.
Bring your old vapes, empty pods and used coils into any I Love Vapour store and hand them to the team. They'll make sure they go to the right place. Shopping online? Get in touch with our customer service team and they'll point you to the best option.
Where to take your old vapes.
You've got more choices than you might think. Pick whichever is closest:
1. A shop that sells vapes
As above, vape shops have to take them back. Larger shops and supermarkets that sell vapes should have a collection point too, and some will take them even if you're not buying anything.
2. Your local household waste recycling centre
Your council tip will have a container for small electricals and another for batteries. Vapes go in the electricals, loose batteries in the batteries bin. If you're not sure, ask the site staff.
3. Council collections and recycling banks
Some councils collect small electricals from the kerbside, either with your normal collection or on request, and you'll find small electrical recycling banks in some supermarket car parks. Check your council's website for what's available near you.
Not sure where your nearest drop-off point is? The Recycle Your Electricals website has a free postcode locator that shows recycling points near you.
Your old vape isn't rubbish. It’s a battery, and it belongs in a recycling bin.
How to get your vape ready to recycle.
A couple of minutes of prep makes recycling quicker and safer:
1. Use up or empty the e-liquid. Vape until the pod is empty, or tip any leftover liquid back into its bottle. A dry pod is less messy for whoever handles it next.
2. Switch it off. If your device has a power button, turn it off (usually five clicks) so it can't fire by accident.
3. Separate the parts. Take the pod or tank off the battery. Pods with built-in coils, loose coils and the device itself can all go in for recycling, just keep them together in a bag so nothing gets lost.
4. Remove any removable batteries. If your mod uses 18650 or 21700 cells, take them out and recycle them separately as batteries. It's good practice to put a small piece of tape over each end first.
5. Recycle the packaging separately. Cardboard boxes and paper leaflets can usually go in your normal recycling. Leave the vape itself out.
Recycling a pod because it's burnt out or leaking? Check whether it's really the end of the road first. Our guides on when to change your coil and how to refill a vape pod can help you get the most out of every pod.
Keep the kit, just swap the pod.
Rechargeable pod kits with refillable pods mean you only replace the small part that wears out, not the whole device. Here are a few of our favourites, all in stock now.
Swollen or damaged batteries.
If your vape is swollen, cracked, getting unusually hot, or the battery wrap on a removable cell is torn, stop using it straight away.
Don't charge it, don't try to open it and don't post it. Keep it somewhere cool and away from anything flammable, then take it to your local household waste recycling centre and tell the staff it's a damaged battery so they can put it in the right place.
Most battery problems come from cheap cables, the wrong charger or leaving a device in a hot car. Charge with the cable that came with your kit, unplug once it's full, and store spare cells in a plastic battery case, not loose in a pocket or bag.
What goes where?
Not sure what to do with something? Use this table.
| Item | Where it goes | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rechargeable pod kit or mod (built-in battery) | Vape shop take-back or electricals bin at the tip | Recycle the whole device, don't remove the battery yourself |
| Removable 18650 / 21700 batteries | Battery recycling bin or vape shop | Tape the ends first and keep them separate |
| Used pods and coils | Vape shop take-back or electricals bin | Empty any leftover e-liquid first |
| Old single-use vapes | Vape shop take-back or electricals bin | Shops must accept them, even after the June 2025 ban |
| Prefilled pods | Vape shop take-back or electricals bin | Use them up first where you can |
| Empty e-liquid bottles | Check your council's rules | Recycling varies by area, so check locally |
| Boxes and leaflets | Household paper and card recycling | Make sure no pods or batteries are left inside |
Switched from disposables to a rechargeable kit? Our guide to the disposable vape ban and what to switch to covers the options.
Bring the old. Pick up the new.
Drop your old vapes, pods and coils into your local I Love Vapour store and our team will help you choose a rechargeable kit that suits the way you vape.
Or shop refillable pods online, with free UK delivery on orders over £20.
Shop refillable pods →Recycling vapes: your questions answered.
Can I put my vape in the household bin?
No. Vapes contain lithium batteries, which can start fires when they're crushed in bin lorries and at waste sites. Take them to a shop that sells vapes or to the electricals bin at your local recycling centre instead.
Do vape shops have to take back old vapes?
Yes. UK rules say any business that sells vapes must offer a take-back service and accept vapes and vape parts, such as used pods, coils and batteries, for recycling. That covers both shops and online retailers.
Can you recycle vape pods and coils?
Yes. Used pods and coils contain metal and should be recycled with electricals, not thrown in the bin. Empty any leftover e-liquid first and take them back to a vape shop or your local recycling centre.
Do I need to take the battery out before recycling?
Only if it's designed to be removed, like the 18650 or 21700 cells in some mods. Most pod kits have a built-in battery, so recycle the whole device as it is. Never force a device open to get at the battery.
What should I do with an old disposable vape?
Single-use vapes can no longer be sold in the UK, but you can still recycle any you have left. Shops that sell vapes must accept them, and your local recycling centre will take them in the small electricals bin.
Can I post an old vape back to a shop?
Don't post a vape with a damaged or swollen battery. For working devices, check with the retailer first, as many online vape shops will tell you the best return option for recycling.
18+ only. Our products are only for adults aged 18 and over. Challenge 25 applies in all our stores and to every online order.
Warning: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance. Vaping products are not suitable for non-smokers, people under 18, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.