Healthy Community Initiative

By Ashley Gardner as a Guest Columnist for the Northfield News

Students involved in the RAVE (Reduction and Awareness of Vaping and E-cigarette use) Initiative have launched a campaign to raise awareness in Rice County of how to properly dispose of vape devices. The students organized a vape disposal take-back last month at the Community Market Fair at the Dundas Dome and will be scheduling other events this spring and summer.

If you live in Rice County, you may remember when the landfill was closed for several days in May of 2023 because of a fire started by a battery from an electronic device. What many residents may not realize is that the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries continues to cause a fire a week at the landfill.

The proliferation of vaping devices is contributing to this problem. Vape pens, cartridges, and e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials, including lithium-ion batteries, plastic, and residual nicotine, all of which require special handling. When not disposed of correctly, they contribute to pollution, resulting in harm to wildlife and ecosystems. The chemicals in e-liquids can soak into the ground and water, harming natural resources. The increase in use of disposable vapes has also led to an increase in waste, adding to the already significant environmental issues of plastic waste.

Minnesota law requires electronic smoking devices to be handled properly to prevent fires and exposure to toxic substances. They cannot go in the trash or recycling. By disposing of vape devices responsibly, you can help reduce environmental damage and ensure harmful materials don’t end up in landfills or waterways.

Follow these steps:

1. Remove the battery. If possible, separate the battery from the device. Batteries should be stored in a sealed plastic baggie and taken to a designated electronic waste (e-waste) recycling center.
2. Empty cartridges properly. Residual nicotine is toxic! Rinse empty cartridges thoroughly before disposal.
3. Recycle where possible. Many vape components, such as metal and plastic, can be recycled. Check with local recycling programs or manufacturer take-back initiatives.
4. Avoid trash and recycle bins. Never throw vapes in regular trash or recycling bins, as they can leak harmful chemicals or even cause fires due to their batteries.
5. Use the Rice County Solid Waste Facility, located at 3800 East 145th St., in Dundas. The facility is open from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It’s also open from 7:30-11:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month from November through March and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from April through October. It’s closed on legal holidays.

Another way to reduce the amount of disposable vapes is to support friends and family members who are trying to quit. For resources on quitting, or to learn more about vaping and how it affects adolescent brains, visit healthycommunityinitiative.org/vaping-awareness-resources.

To learn more about RAVE, visit ricecountycmhc.org/rave.