We throw away five million disposable vapes every year in the UK. This amounts to eight vapes being discarded every second. Councillor Clyde Loakes, chair of the North London Waste Assembly, is urging With more vapes getting thrown away every year, it's become a growing environmental problem. Vapes contain heavy metals, nicotine, and other chemicals, which leach toxic pollutants into the soil and waterways when Disposable vape disposal : r recycling Guide to Recycling Disposable Vapes Happy FAQ Friday! How do I dispose of vapes or vape pens? Vapes and vape pens should not be thrown in the trash or the recycling cart, as the lithium batteries could