Why Disposing Of Cannabis Vape Pens Is A Bigger Deal Than You Think

Do you know which cannabis products pose the biggest challenge for safe disposal? If you guessed vape pens, you’re right.

While vape pens are the ultimate choice for some stoners, and have definitely changed the “high game,” experts warn about dumping them in the trash. Andrew McGinty, the owner and CEO of Cannabis Waste Solutions, explained to SF Gate’s Lester Black how marijuana vape pens have a lithium-ion battery that can explode in the trash.

“Lithium reacts violently with water,” McGinty said. “If it’s thrown in the garbage there’s actually a lot of water in the garbage from other stuff decomposing. … Somewhere down the line … it is an explosion and fire hazard risk.”

California addressed this issue in 2022 when Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed a legislation,