E-cigarettes, or vaporizers in the broad sense, have been with us for many years and are an alternative to traditional cigarettes. At one time, a specific pop culture was born around them. “Vapers” created their own blends of flavored liquids, improved the parameters of the so-called heaters or took care of the proper operation of the battery or accumulator in the device. After some time, however, the so-called disposables, or , came to the top. They cost little, a few dozen zlotys. They can be bought in popular grocery stores or gas stations.
The principle of operation is simple. , i.e. a working device with a liguid with a specific nicotine content. It is ready to use right out of the box, and we can take it to a party or meeting, during which many of us like to indulge in nicotine debauchery. There is, however, a problem. While we are all aware of the health consequences, few people know about the threat such devices pose to the entire planet. Disposable e-cigarettes are a terrible waste of resources.
Although the design of a disposable vaporizer seems simple, it actually contains a lot of elements. First of all, it is the casing. Most often made of metal or plastic covered with varnish or stickers. On the upper part there is a mouthpiece, which is another plastic part. We’ll find more inside. There is:
- Cartridge with liquid
- The so-called heater, i.e. an atomizer that heats the inhalation liquid
- Pressure-activated switch (instead of the heating button)
- Battery
- The tape that keeps everything in check
- Additional stabilizing elements
There’s a lot of it – and all of it in a device that costs about 30 PLN, which ends up in the trash after a few hours. And that’s our biggest problem.
Disposable e-cigarettes are the new . While a TV or computer can be sensibly disposed of (and, for example, some resources can be recovered), in the case of “disposables” everything goes to waste. The parts are small, and the metals are mixed with worthless plastics, which is why these devices are not recycled in any way. Unlike other gadgets, these end up in bins marked as “mixed”.
Even after the inhalation is finished (when the liquid runs out), it can contain a lot of energy. According to sciencealert.com, after being thrown away, most disposable e-cigarettes have enough energy to power a light bulb for an hour. The decomposition of a lithium battery can lead to the release of harmful substances. These, in turn, pose a threat not only to the environment, but also to workers who deal with waste management or transport.
A way to waste resources and protect your health at the same time may turn out to be . This topic appeared in Poland some time ago and the Ministry of Health is responsible for it. There are many indications that the ban will appear this year.