Vape Waste Watch: Monitoring and addressing vape product waste
Abstract
As vaping increases in Australia, so does the waste associated with discarded vaping products. These are toxic to the environment, containing lithium-ion batteries and other hazardous components, posing a significant fire risk. Despite recognition of the problem, little is known about the scale and nature of vape product waste in Australia. Our project will collect data on the number and types of products that end up in Australia's waste management facilities, interview stakeholders to explore their perspectives on the problem, and conduct a consumer survey to investigate the disposal behaviours and motivations of Australians who vape. Findings will inform recommendations on management options and evaluation of vaping policy.