This page is a central hub for vape stewardship information in Missouri, including pilot program updates, disposal guidance, and educational resources.
Vape Waste in Missouri
The Problem
Disposable electronic cigarettes and vapes are one of the fastest-growing waste streams in Missouri and across the United States. Each small device packs three types of harmful waste into one:
- A lithium-ion battery that can start fires if damaged,
- Nicotine residue that’s classified as hazardous and can contaminate soil and water, and
- A plastic casing that won’t break down in the environment.
The Scale
The disposable vapes discarded in a single year would stretch over 7,000 miles if laid end-to-end – and the lithium in those batteries could have powered around 2,600 electric vehicles instead of sitting in a landfill.
The Solution
We need easy, reliable ways to dispose of these devices safely. That’s why the Missouri Product Stewardship Council is working with partners across the state to identify safe, practical, and scalable vape management solutions. This includes piloting collection programs, sharing educational materials, and developing long-term stewardship and policy options.
Pilot Collection Programs: Get Involved
As part of our commitment to addressing this environmental challenge, the Missouri Product Stewardship Council, with grant support from the Solid Waste Management District O and St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District, is launching pilot programs for collecting and properly disposing of vape product waste.
St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District Collection Sites
Counties of St. Louis, Jefferson, and St. Charles; City of St. Louis
- Imperial Tobacco & Vape, 1239 Imperial Main St, Imperial, MO 63052
- 510 Vapers, 1260 Imperial Main, Imperial, MO 63052
- Seckman Smoke & Vape, 2874 Seckman Rd, Imperial, MO 63052
District O Vape Collection Sites
Visit www.recycle417.com/vape-disposal for more information.
Counties of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk, and Webster
- Springfield Vapors on Grand, 1803 Grand St, Unit A, Springfield, MO 65807
- VapeX, 1317 S Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO 65804
- Springfield Vapors & Cannabis, 3873 S Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO 65807
- Springfield Vapors Nixa, 415 W Aldersgate Dr, Nixa, MO 65714
- Vapor Shack, 731 West 7th St, Suite C, Joplin, MO 64801
- VapeX, 920 South Neosho Blvd, Neosho, MO 64850
- GLO Center, 518 E. Commercial St, Springfield, MO 65803
- Small Town Smoke Shop, 414 East Jackson St, Suite D, Willard, MO 65781
Disposal Guidance
For devices with removable batteries:
- If possible, remove the battery for separating recycling
- Bring separated components to a collection site
For disposable vapes or devices with non-removable batteries:
- Do not attempt to disassemble
- Bring the entire device to a collection site
For e-liquid containers or pods:
- Keep caps on e-liquid containers to prevent leakage
- Put in a zip-lock bag
- Bring to a collection site
NEVER:
- Throw vape products in regular trash or recycling bins
- Flush e-liquid down toilets or sinks
- Disassemble single-use vapes (risk of fire/explosion)
- Leave vape products where children or pets can access them
Why Proper Vape Management Matters
Improperly discarded vapes can:
- Cause fires in waste and recycling facilities due to damaged lithium-ion batteries
- Release hazardous chemicals and nicotine into the environment
- Create safety risks for sanitation workers and the public
- Contaminate recycling streams
- Contribute to growing electronic waste challenges
Because vapes combine electronic components, batteries, plastics, and hazardous waste materials, they require specialized handling and disposal.
Resources
Even if you don’t live near one of our pilot collection sites, you can still dispose of vape products responsibly:
- Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facilities: Many communities have designated facilities for hazardous waste disposal.
- Special Collection Events: Watch for announcements about county-wide hazardous waste collection events.
- Check Manufacturer’s Programs: Some vape manufacturers offer mail-back recycling programs
Policy & Stewardship Efforts
This pilot program is just the beginning. We’re exploring several paths to create sustainable, long-term solutions for vape waste management:
Potential Funding Sources
- Local Policy Initiatives: Local-level projects and policies that divert waste from landfills and create sustainable funding sources.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Working toward policies that require manufacturers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products. Several states introduced vape EPR bills in 2025 to address this issue.
Next Steps After the Pilot
Based on the data collected during this pilot, including participant surveys, we plan to:
- Create a report detailing pilot results
- Develop educational materials about proper vape disposal
- Explore sustainable funding mechanisms at the local and state level
Get Involved
We need your help to make this program successful:
- Participate in our survey at collection sites
- Spread the word about proper vape disposal
- Advocate for extended producer responsibility
- Contact us with your ideas and feedback
Contact Information
Product Stewardship Institute
Hanz Atia, Senior Associate of Policy and Programs
Hanz@productstewardship.us
(617) 904-4434
productstewardship.us
Solid Waste Management District O
Angie Snyder, Executive Director
(417) 360-5021
angie@recycle417.com
Recycle417.com