Yes, we all know that e-cigarettes and vaping products are a healthy alternative to smoking conventional cigarettes. That being said, vaping products are also much better for the environment. Think about this for a second. If everyone you see vaping was smoking cigarettes instead of the products they use, how many more butts would end up being tossed to the ground or hauled away to a landfill?
Around 38 percent of litter that is improperly discarded is made of cigarette butts. Because they are produced with cellulose acetate, a type of plastic, these filters can take up to around 26 years before they biodegrade. Also, around 540 million trees a year are cut down to produce these filters, to cure the tobacco put in cigarettes, and to create the paper packaging required for tobacco products.
While vaping is definitely better for the world we live in, there’s still more that could be done by vapers concerning both the mods and batteries used in their vaporizers. For instance, the batteries used for a vape or e-cigarette can be recharged and used again around 300 times. But, eventually, these batteries need to be properly disposed of, not simply thrown in the trash.
In this article, we will discuss how to properly dispose of old vape mods. If you’re new to vaping or someone considering making the switch from conventional cigarettes to vaping products, you might not be sure of exactly what a mod is? That’s a good place for us to start.
What is a vape mod?
If you’re new to vaping, it can almost be confusing with all of the models and types of e-cigarette and vaping products to choose from. We’ve all seen products that simply resemble the size and shape of a conventional cigarette. But, what is up with those bigger devices? These are what we call advanced personal vaporizers, or simply vape mods.
Those who are new to vaping, and even those who have been at it for a while, can easily get confused by the terms such as these for the devices being used. It is not uncommon to have more questions than answers when discussing these models and products. What exactly is it that makes a mod? What is it that makes these particular modules better than the others? Why should I use a product such as these instead of simply using a pen-like model?
How is a mod different from an advanced personal vaporizer?
Both of these terms basically describe the same thing, a product that is more complicated, bulkier, and bigger than your basic e-cigarette. While an advanced personal vaporizer, or mod, is very similar to smaller e-cigarettes, they have been enhanced, or modified, with a few advanced features.
There are several different forms these advancements come in for mods. Because they have larger batteries, they will typically last longer than your basic e-cigarette. Another common advanced feature is a more powerful mechanism for heating the liquid being used in the vaporizer. These devices will usually contain more liquid due to an advanced refill with a higher volume or capacity. Some mods include just one of the many advancements. Others have several of them. These modified abilities simply aren’t available with a “normal” e-cigarette.
Why do people use these products?
In regards to why people use a mod, it’s all about personal preference. Many vapers are simply unable to find the performance they’re looking for with a basic e-cigarette. By using a vape mod, the vaping experience is enhanced for individuals wanting to experiment with the vaping experience.
Is a vape mod what I should be using?
This isn’t simply a yes or no answer. It all depends on how long you have been vaping and the kind of experience you are looking for. If you have been using a basic e-cigarette for a while and are wanting a way to add to the experience, a vape mod may have the enhanced options you would like. That being said, if you are someone who is brand new to vaping, a mod could over-complicate things and leave you feeling confused about what you’re doing.
On top of this, if you are unsure of what you are doing, using a vape mod could bring on unnecessary risks. With the enhancements you have with a mod, you are able to enhance the taste and will have more of a sensation. If this is something you are not used to, it could be more than you want. Until you know exactly what you’re looking for with a vape mod, it may make more sense to stick with a regular e-cigarette.
Now that you are a little more familiar with what a vape mod is, you understand the concern with what should be done with an older vape mod that’s no longer being used. With the rest of the article, we will discuss what should be done with older mods you no longer want and how they can be properly disposed of. We will discuss mods and their tanks, coils, even what should be done with the liquid bottles after they are empty. Let’s get started.
If you have a mod that isn’t broken, you are simply ready for something new, there are pretty much three options you have to choose from. You can keep it around just in case there is an issue or problem with the new one and you need a backup. You can sell it online to come up with a few extra bucks towards purchasing a new mod. Or, you can give it to someone new to the vaping community still on the fence if they should be using a regular vaping e-cigarette or a mod. Let’s look at each of these three choices in more detail.
Keep it as a backup
So, you’ve been vaping for a while and you are ready to move on to a new mod. There isn’t anything wrong with the one you are currently using, you simply want to switch things up a bit. There’s nothing wrong with hanging on to the old one to use as a backup.
If you’ve been vaping for a while, you are more than likely completely aware of the fact that things happen. A common accident people have is dropping their mod on the ground. Things get broken. If you already have an older mod you are no longer using, the problem is solved, there’s no rush to run out and buy a new one.
It’s also nice to have a spare if you’re someone who travels a lot or is always on the go. Keep in mind, though. Even if the mod is not being used regularly, you will need to make sure you give it a charge every few months.
Sell it for some extra money
If you make the decision to sell your older mod, you have two choices. One, there may be a store or retailer near you who sells used equipment in their shop. The store may be interested in either giving you cash for your mod or giving you an in-store credit for something new.
The other option, a little more popular at the moment, is selling your mod on one of the many websites known for selling used equipment. When you try to sell your used mod to a store or retailer, there’s a limited market simply because of location. A store usually won’t give you as much money as you could get selling the mod yourself on a website because they have no guarantee of how long it will be before making their money back on the product.
By selling your mod online, you are no longer geographically limited to your particular area. Also, many of these websites get thousands of clicks per day from a specific audience, people looking to purchase a used mod. While it may take a few more days to get the money you are looking for, you can usually get more money for what you are selling by going the online route.
Giving the mod to someone new to vaping
While I’m not going to say the price of vaping products is too expensive, they definitely are not cheap. If someone is considering the jump from using an e-cigarette to a mod, the price of the item can be what keeps them with what they’re used to. If you’ve never used a mod and are unsure of what to expect or if you will even like using one, the price can make it more of a gamble.
If you are using a mod, there’s a good chance you’re part of a community that vapes. Consider passing on a mod you will no longer be using to a newbie. This allows them the opportunity to learn exactly what it is they want without having to waste their money. Describe to them what it is you like and dislike about the particular item. Why are you getting a different one? Teach them what it is they can expect and how to get the most out of their vaping experience.
What if my old mod is broken?
If your mod no longer works, it may still be useful to a store or retailer that recycles static mods and/or batteries. No, you are more than likely not going to get anything for them in return. That being said, you will know the mod and batteries are being properly disposed of. If you are unable to find a store that does this, there are plenty of other recycle drop-offs where you can dispose of the item. Don’t take the easy way out by simply throwing something in the trash you know can be harmful to the environment.
Tanks
If the tank is not broken, you might want to consider removing it and keeping it around. Many people waste money buying a new mod when all they needed to do was get a new tank. If you vape long enough, it’s going to happen, sooner or later.
If the tank is broken, make sure you take the time to properly clean it before disposing of it. While cleaning up the tank, take a look at the drip tip. These are nice to have around as they are often the problem with a tank. Clean up and find somewhere it can be stored out of the reach of pets or children.
Coils
With a vape mod, coils are definitely what you will be replacing the most. Because they are made of metal, coils can be recycled. Simply be sure to identify the type of metal they are made from. There’s no limit to how many times metal can be recycled, so make sure these coils are given the chance to be used again instead of simply throwing them away in the trash.
That being said, if you are a vaper who has pets, you need to make sure these coils are out of their reach while waiting to be recycled. Because nicotine can be toxic to cats and dogs, make sure these burned up coils are kept somewhere safe on their way to being recycled.
Juice Bottles
Depending on how much and how often you vape, you are going to be using a lot of liquid. If you are part of the growing community that makes your own e-liquid, simply wash these bottles out and save them once they are empty. If you don’t make your own liquid, these can either be recycled with other plastics or, many stores and retailers who sell e-liquids will be happy to take them from you.
That being said, use some common sense, here, If your bottles look nasty or disgusting, no, a store or retailer is more than likely not going to want anything to do with them. Regardless of whether you are returning them to be reused or simply recycling them as plastic, take a few seconds to make sure they have been properly rinsed out. We’ve already mentioned how toxic nicotine can be to animals but it can also be very harmful when exposed to skin. It will take just a few seconds to rinse a bottle out after it has been used, making sure no pets, or people for that matter, are being put in harm’s way.