I am currently a fellow in the Knowledge-Action-Change (KAC) Tobacco Harm Reduction Fellowship program and a global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction fellow. Thanks to this support, my global research project, "Circular Recycling of Vapes," was launched in 2024 and has since evolved. I am the project director and founder of "THR, Ethics and Sustainability." I lead research and initiatives that integrate tobacco harm reduction (THR), environmental bioethics, and sustainability. My primary focus is the environmental impact of reduced-risk products: I analyze the waste they generate (plastics, lithium batteries, and other components), promote solutions such as rechargeable systems and responsible recycling programs, and advocate for policies that link public health with protecting the planet. In addition, I work as a Marketing and Advertising Specialist, Community Manager, and international writer for Latin American media outlets such as Al Poniente and El Insubordinado. I combine these skills to communicate clearly and effectively about harm reduction and recycling to users, suppliers, and the general public, especially in organizations that advocate for the rights of adult users. I am also involved in youth activism and women's leadership with the Ladies of Liberty Alliance, and I have been selected for the 2025-2026 cohort of the International Federation of Young Liberals' Women's Leadership Program.
All videos (2)
GFN News #182 | CAN VAPING AND SUSTAINABILITY COEXIST?
13 Mar 2026
In this episode, we unpack the hidden environmental cost of vaping - from millions of discarded devices and batteries to ecosystem contamination - and why awareness isn’t translating into action. The conversation highlights a major gap: many users recognize the harm, but far fewer know how (or where) to recycle, and only a minority actually do. We also explore what could change the outcome: clearer product labeling, education that’s practical (not fear-based), better recycling infrastructure, and shared responsibility between governments, manufacturers, retailers, and users—moving toward a circular-economy approach to nicotine products.
GFN News #181 | CIRCULAR VAPE RECYCLING AND THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE THR
11 Mar 2026
In this GFN News interview, Aylen Van Isseldyk (creator of the global research project Circular Vape Recycling) explains the hidden environmental impact of vaping devices—from hard-to-degrade plastics and lithium batteries to the structural barriers that make e-cigarette recycling so difficult. We also discuss why awareness alone isn’t enough, what manufacturers and institutions can do (eco-design, modular/reusable devices, and extended producer responsibility), and how users can help by returning devices to collection points and choosing more sustainable options.