The Hidden Hazards of Disposable Vapes in California’s Waste Stream

Disposable vapes are flooding California’s waste stream with toxic chemicals, embedded lithium-ion batteries, and non-recyclable components—creating a perfect storm of fire hazards, public health threats, and environmental contamination. Tony Hackett of Californians Against Waste will break down the policy, design, and recovery failures of these devices and explain how legislation like AB 762 aims to phase out the most dangerous single-use models. Their talk will offer attendees actionable insights on how local governments and zero-waste advocates can engage in this rapidly growing crisis.