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.
Transcription:
00:00 - 00:56
[Joanna Junak]
Hello and welcome, I am Joanna Junak and these are the GFN News on GFN.tv. In today's program we will have the pleasure of talking with Aylen Van Isseldyk, a prominent member of the scholarship program for the reduction of tobacco damage and the creator of the global research project Circular Vape Recycle. Aylen will provide us with more details about her innovative project, its significant impact on the environment and the future prospects of her valuable research. Hello, Aylen. Welcome and thank you for being here. Let's start with the first question. What do you do and what are your interests?
00:57 - 03:11
[Aylen Van Isseldyk]
Well, I am Aylen Van Isseldyk from Argentina. I am currently a fellow at KAC and Global Study of Tobacco and Production. Well, thanks to this, Circular Vape Recycling was born in 2024, where a paper of 292 pages was generated entitled Environmental impact on evaporation devices, a global approach to sustainability. Today, although Circular Vape Recycling continues, it has evolved to THR, ethics and sustainability, which will be the new lines of research of snus and nicotine pouch. It is the natural evolution of Circular Vape. I also lead research on actions that combine the reduction of carbon monoxide for tobacco, environmental and health biotics, and sustainability. My main focus is the environmental impact of the products of organic waste. I analyze the waste generated, for example, plastic, lithium batteries, etc. I promote sustainable solutions such as repairable systems, responsible cycle programs, and I advocate for policies that integrate public health with environmental care on the planet. In addition to all this, I am a marketing advertising analyst, I am a community manager, I am an international writer for two media outlets, Alponiente and Insubordinados. Thanks to this, I was able to combine the knowledge to carry out a trajectory, both in Circular Vape and in THRG, let's say that it was impeccable when it came to reporting on the reduction of importation, recycling for the public in general, not only users, and for organizations that defend the rights of users and adults. I am also working internationally in youth activism, female leadership, such as the Lady of Liberty Alliance, and I have been selected to join the 2025-2026 cohort of the Women's Leadership Cohort Program of the International Federation of Liberal Young People.
03:13 - 03:20
[Joanna Junak]
What inspired you to do this research and what are the main objectives of your project?
03:20 - 05:17
[Aylen Van Isseldyk]
I believe that reduced risk products offer a real opportunity to reduce millions of lives the damage that tobacco causes. However, this advantage for health will only be maintained if we manage its environmental impact responsibly, which is what we talk about in the project. My objective is to inseparably articulate health, ethics and the protection of the planet. With this introduction, I can tell you that I was inspired by the reduction of tobacco use by my colleagues for many years. and also environmental protectionism, which I have been defending for years. I wanted to mix both worlds so that we can take care of our health with reduced-grain products, but also so that the planet is taken care of at the same time, because that is also our future and that of future generations. As the main author of the research, Environmental Impact of VAPE Devices, a Global Focus on Sustainability, together with Juan Facundo Temer, from Argentina, where we see the growth of vaping among adults very, very fast. I was deeply inspired by the paradox of saying that I see every day that these devices promote an alternative that helps us stop smoking, that is cleaner than traditional tobacco to reduce damage to health. but they generate a huge environmental shadow that almost no one discusses. For example, in the research we clearly described that its growing popularity has accompanied the increase in its residues, which include hard-to-degrade plastic, lithium batteries and other potentially dangerous components.
05:18 - 05:29
[Joanna Junak]
And what obstacles prevent electronic cigarettes from drying out correctly, despite environmental awareness?
05:30 - 07:27
[Aylen Van Isseldyk]
I can tell you that it is frustrating because awareness exists, but the obstacles are structural and multifactorial. In the classification of recyclability, and biodegradability. We see that many components, such as mixed plastics and lithium batteries, are difficult to assemble and recycle, persisting for centuries in the environment. Manufacturers prioritize convenience and low cost. Disposable designs of a single use are cheaper, yes, and more difficult to manipulate for the consumer, but they generate more waste. There is a lack of strict regulations at the global level. For example, in Europe, there is the mark of European conformity. This indicates that they comply with the environmental protection and security requirements of the European Union. But, for example, in Latin America, the implementation is unlimited for these products. Talking more about the bioethical part, in the bioethical part, we reflected on the ethical conflicts. The reduction of damage caused by climate is focused, but the environmental impact is ignored. Our survey shows that only 14.3% consider that the ecological design when buying and 51% are not informed about sustainable options. The technological and economic barriers also play a role. Advanced facilities for recycling are scarce and the cost of modular devices is initially high.
07:27 - 07:38
[Joanna Junak]
And what do you think manufacturers, institutions and users should do to reduce the environmental impact of vaping?
07:38 - 09:50
[Aylen Van Isseldyk]
We need a tripartite collaboration. Como proponemos en nuestra investigación, los fabricantes deben adoptar diseños ecológicos para crear dispositivos modulares y reutilizables, usar materiales reciclados y asumir responsabilidad extendida del productor para financiar larga colección. Programas innovadores y digitalización para trazabilidad ayudarían a reducir the waste and it can be estimated that the set of these, the environmental impact would fall by 70%. Should institutions strengthen policies? Yes. For example, in Switzerland, sustainable models have lowered pollution by 40 to 50%. In Europe, the recycling directives of electrical and electronic devices are. In Latin America there are fiscal incentives of green points, but education and campaigns should be invested, which is what we emphasize. Users are key, individual responsibility, and I could also talk to you about data, as we have previously mentioned in the survey we have done, Only 27.9% cycle, but 38% would be willing to pay more for a more ecological option. They must return devices to collection points in the usable field and reduce unnecessary consumption. With a circular economy proposal that using materials we can bring a drastic impact to 50%. with more sustainable practices, both for manufacturers and users. It is a deliberation, as we see in bioethics, to balance health and the planet.