Guide To Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Disposal
This resource has been developed by Pinellas County Solid Waste to provide businesses with guidance on how to properly manage wastes in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
How You May Be Generating Regulated Wastes
Federal, state and local regulations prohibit the wrong disposal of certain electronic nicotine delivery systems. A waste determination is required before these systems are discarded in the trash or poured down the drain. These wastes include:
- E-juice with any concentration of nicotine, including expired, spilled, unusable or unwanted products.
- E-cigarette devices, which may be hazardous due to lead solder, chromium coils and/or nicotine residue.
- Empty containers or devices that once held nicotine or E-juice with any concentration of nicotine. This includes any plasticware or glassware used to measure or transfer nicotine or nicotine-containing liquids.
- Spent coils and scrap wire CAN be recycled through a metal recycler.
- Spent rechargeable batteries (all contain heavy metals) CAN be recycled.
- Rinse waters containing any concentration of nicotine CANNOT be discharged to the sewer, septic system or in soil.
Note: Empty containers that held nicotine are not legally “empty.” This means they CANNOT be disposed or recycled as plastic or as glass containers. Instead, they are considered acute hazardous waste due to nicotine residue. For more information, see EPA Guidance Document – DeWitt, May 08 2015 – RCRA Online #14850.
Additional Resources
- Where Does It Go? Search Tool
- Recycle Guide & Downloadable Signage
- Household Chemical Collection
- Collection: Garbage & Recycling
- Hours: Solid Waste Disposal Complex
- Disposal Fee Information
- Educational Resources: Garbage and Recycling
- Recycling FAQ
- Map of Recycling Drop-Off Centers
- Artificial Reef Program
- Mulch Pickup Program
- For Businesses: Garbage & Recycling Resources
- How Mixed Recycling Works In Pinellas County
- Video Library: Garbage and Recycling
- Holiday and Gift-Giving Guide
- Pinellas Partners in Recycling
- Waste-to-Energy Facility
- Bridgeway Acres Landfill
- Solid Waste Master Plan
- Solid Waste Disposal Accounts
- Lealman Garbage and Recycling Collection
- Tampa Bay Recycles
- Why Recycling Is Important
- Discover Careers with Pinellas County Solid Waste
Contact Us
For more information or to request a printed copy of this guide, contact the Pinellas County Small Quantity Generator Program at (727) 464-7500 or bwa@pinellas.gov.