Lawmakers in Maine are considering a bill that would require manufacturers of vaping devices to establish a recycling program for their products.

Introduced on April 8, 2025, Legislative Document No. 1519, also known as House Paper 1004, aims to address the environmental concerns associated with the disposal of e-cigarettes and related products, according to the ​Maine State Legislature.

The proposed legislation mandates that producers of e-cigarette and vaping devices develop and implement a stewardship program to manage the collection and recycling of their products. This initiative seeks to mitigate the hazardous waste problem posed by discarded vaping devices, which often contain batteries and other components harmful to the environment, according to lawmakers.​

Under the bill, manufacturers would be responsible for the costs associated with the recycling program, ensuring that consumers can dispose of used e-cigarettes without incurring additional fees. The program would also require producers to report on the effectiveness of their recycling efforts, including the volume of products collected and recycled annually.​

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources for further consideration. If enacted, Maine would join a growing number of states implementing extended producer responsibility laws aimed at reducing electronic waste and promoting environmental sustainability.​

Environmental advocates have expressed support for the measure, highlighting the importance of holding manufacturers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products. Industry representatives have yet to comment on the proposed requirements.​

The bill’s progress can be tracked through the Maine Legislature’s official website.​