MANILA, Philippines — As more Filipinos embrace vaping, the issue of early vape waste disposal is gaining urgency. Many remain unaware that used vapes are classified as electronic waste (e-waste) and must be handled at licensed treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities nationwide.
For example, 20-year-old civil engineering student Dos (a pseudonym) shared that he had no idea disposable or reusable vapes should never be discarded with regular trash. Vaping since 2015, Dos recently switched to disposable vapes and now keeps over 150 empty units in a box as a personal record. “This is the first time I heard that vapes or e-waste need to be disposed of in certain facilities,” he said.
On average, Dos empties two to three disposable vapes monthly, depending on their brand and “hits,” the number of inhalations each device offers. Dos represents many young users; the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that 14 percent of Filipino youth aged 13 to 15—nearly one million individuals—already use e-cigarettes.
Growing Vape Usage Among Filipino Youth
The 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey also reported that 5.7 percent of Filipinos aged 15 to 34, or roughly 4.4 million people, have tried vaping or heated tobacco products. This rising trend increases the volume of electronic smoking device waste requiring proper management.
Environmental Impact of Early Vape Waste Disposal
Data from the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that the Philippines generated 4,681.99 metric tons of waste electrical and electronic equipment in 2023, rising to 5,010.27 metric tons in 2024. However, these figures do not specifically break down vape-related waste, which falls under the general e-waste category.
Environmental advocates note the Philippines ranks among Southeast Asia’s top e-waste producers, with 540,000 metric tons recorded in 2022. Despite this, authorities lack detailed tracking of discarded e-cigarettes and similar devices. Littered disposable vapes frequently contaminate the environment due to their plastic and chemical components.
Although 153 registered TSD facilities operate nationwide, much e-waste is still mixed with other trash, ending up in landfills or dumpsites. Informal sectors, including waste pickers and junk shops, also play a major role in managing e-waste, often without proper safeguards.
Understanding E-Waste and Its Risks
Under Republic Act No. 9003, e-waste is a special waste type requiring separate handling due to its toxicity. It includes broken, obsolete, or discarded electronic products powered by batteries or electricity, like refrigerators, computers, and notably, electronic smoking devices such as vapes and heated tobacco products.
Vapes contain harmful substances similar to antifreeze and paint solvents. Studies reveal they pose significant pollution hazards, releasing toxic chemicals like cadmium, lead, mercury, and flame retardants if not disposed of properly. Dangerous dismantling practices can contaminate air, water, and soil, threatening ecosystems and public health.
Government Strategies to Manage Early Vape Waste Disposal
Experts suggest the most effective government approach is to phase out electronic smoking devices entirely. While awaiting such measures, stricter regulations on use, marketing, and sales, along with educational campaigns and higher taxes, could reduce consumption.
Unfortunately, there is no practical way to collect or recycle discarded vape components, including batteries and plastic shells. The complexity and risks associated with separating toxic parts make recycling unfeasible.
Producer Responsibility and Policy Recommendations
To combat growing vape waste, authorities should hold manufacturers and importers accountable through extended producer responsibility programs. This would ensure proper collection, treatment, and recycling of their products at end-of-life, alongside efforts to drastically reduce usage.
Encouraging sustainable design and clean production in the electronics industry could also lessen environmental harm. Additionally, banning e-waste imports and ratifying international agreements against hazardous waste trafficking would strengthen protections.
Calls for a Ban and Public Health Concerns
Health officials have sounded alarms over rising youth vaping rates, which nearly doubled from 11.7 percent in 2015 to 24.6 percent in 2019. This trend threatens to increase diseases linked to smoking, such as lung and oral cancers and cardiovascular ailments. Harmful flavoring oils in vapes have been linked to a new lung injury syndrome called EVALI.
Consequently, the government is pushing for legislation and education campaigns to ban vaping nationwide. Yet, without specific data on vape waste disposal, the true extent of pollution remains hidden—buried in landfills, scattered in streets, and absent from official records.
For more news and updates on early vape waste disposal, visit Filipinokami.com.
