Did you know that vapes can't be thrown out into any of your kerbside bins?
Classified as e-waste, vapes contain batteries, plastic and harmful chemicals that pollute the environment and cause fires in rubbish trucks and landfills.
To support the community to dispose of these devices safely, we're trialling vape recycling bins from EcoCycle at The Nest Youth Hub in central Geelong and Norlane's The fOrT Youth Hub until the end of January 2026.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
The bins will support young people, encourage safe and responsible disposal and contribute to the City's vape prevention efforts.There is easy access to vapes in our community and some young people hide their vaping habit from their parents and teachers.
By helping young people dispose of their vapes properly, it opens up the opportunity to talk about vaping harms and even encourage reducing or quitting, in a safe, non-judgemental space.
We're proud to have these bins strategically located at our youth hubs where young people can also access support and information, while helping to divert unnecessary e-waste from landfill.
Councillor Elise Wilkinson
Few people are aware of the environmental impacts of throwing vapes in the bin.Vape liquids contain nicotine and other toxic chemicals that contaminate soil and water and harm marine life.
The batteries that power the vape can cause fires and the plastic casing and parts take hundreds of years to break down.
The vapes that are collected are dismantled and recycled into materials, which can be used to make new batteries, metal products, and sometimes even fertiliser or chemicals.
This is a chance for the community to do their bit to make sure their vapes don't harm the environment or other people's health and get a second life once recycled.
