Top Takeaways:

• Six-month pilot program in Southwest Missouri will collect vape pens, pods, cartridges, and e-liquid containers to reduce environmental and health risks.
• Data from the initiative will guide recommendations for statewide policies, extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks, or permanent collection systems.
• Vape pens pose fire hazards in waste facilities due to lithium-ion batteries and contain chemicals that burden municipalities, schools, and the environment.

U.S. waste and recycling officials are testing new ways to address the growing problem of vape disposal. The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) and the Missouri Solid Waste Management District O have launched a six-month pilot program in Southwest Missouri to collect vape pens and related waste, marking the state’s first such initiative.

The program, supported by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, offers free drop-off sites for vape pens, pods, cartridges, and e-liquid containers. The goal is to divert hazardous devices from waste facilities and schools while collecting real-world data to design sustainable long-term solutions.

“Vape pens are a fast-growing environmental and public health threat,” the Department of Natural Resources said. The lithium-ion batteries inside the devices are a leading cause of fires at recycling and waste facilities, while leaking nicotine and metals pose chemical hazards.

Angie Snyder, executive director of District O, said the program is about providing “safe, accessible collection options” to communities. “This pilot is a foundation for building longer-term solutions in Missouri,” she said.

Hanz Atia, PSI’s senior associate for policy and programs, said the pilot will track the volume, type, and disposal costs of vapes collected, while testing safe handling and transport protocols. Certified recycler Computer Recycling Center will oversee proper processing of the collected devices.

“This information will help identify the cost drivers and best practices for vape product stewardship, while also offering insights into what an effective EPR framework could look like,” Atia said.

The pilot comes as state legislatures nationwide begin exploring vape-specific EPR bills. Four states introduced such legislation in 2025, compared to just one the year prior. Maine’s bill advanced the furthest, while New Jersey, New York, and Oregon also debated measures that included eco-fees and permanent collection sites.

California has introduced complementary policies to ban single-use vapes and allow schools to dispose of confiscated devices as household hazardous waste, according to WasteDive. Internationally, Quebec already has an EPR program for vapes, which PSI points to as a potential model.

PSI has also helped establish vape waste pilots in New York and Colorado, publishing policy guides to help communities replicate collection systems. The organization plans to host a stakeholder dialogue to shape the framework of a potential national EPR bill.

For Missouri, the outcome of the pilot will determine whether statewide collection sites, producer-funded programs, or new regulatory structures emerge as the preferred long-term solution.