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.
Transcription:
00:14 - 00:26
[Joanna Junak]
And how can we better educate e-cigarette users about their environmental impact?
00:28 - 04:03
[Aylen Van Isseldyk]
Education is the fundamental pillar of all this. As we emphasize today and in the survey, it must be transformative. And how one carries that information. First, you have to have a clear label on products. You have to have workshops, talks. For example, 67.9% of users recognize damage, but only 14.3% know how to recycle. And this speaks of the little information there is about how to properly dispose of evaporation devices, how to recycle, And also, there is a lack of information about reduction of damage by tadaquism. As we have said, we have three fundamental pillars that we manage in the line of research, which is the reduction of damage by tadaquism, environmental bioethics and health, and sustainability. Those three sets, we try to strengthen tanto a la hora de la investigación y de llevar nueva información, de generar nueva información, y también de educar a los usuarios, también a los vendedores y fabricantes. También hay que tener un mensaje personalizado con estadísticas. Más de 100 millones de vapidades globalmente generan millones de residuos. in itself is an impact, but I also believe that the impact of the message can lead to awareness, that is, if we are 100 million people who vape, we are generating millions of additives and we are talking about a user who can use their device daily. And this can motivate to recycling and to be a little more aware when it comes to waste. Examples like Switzerland show that education plus infrastructure raises recycling rates by 35%. Also, including bioethics, as we have included, serves to reflect on their responsibility, create action platforms with incentives, could raise awareness to 50% and 60% and create clear messages on social networks, which is what leads us to the information of now, to all adults, social networks, as well as Instagram, Twitter, which is X, LinkedIn, always bring clear information, bring information that it serves the user, that it is not to scare, but to say, if we are taking care of our health, reducing the damage caused by tobacco, thanks to vaping devices, we also have to take care of the planet, because it is a combination of the two, so that we can continue to live with a full quality of life.
04:05 - 04:09
[Joanna Junak]
And what are the main conclusions of your study?
04:10 - 06:18
[Aylen Van Isseldyk]
The key conclusions of the study are that waste generates irrigation contamination in ecosystems, but there is a huge potential in solutions, modular designs, policies, as we said before, that we use an example of a country to not use many, because there are many countries that also already have policies, but well, policies like those of Switzerland and other countries show enormous evidence of how to educate and in countries where there is no information, we were also very surprised by the lack of disinformation, both of the product and its waste. In the survey, we perceive that 77.9% perceive the impact but only the 27.9% recycles from the users. And the 38% occasionally, if it has a green point, a green point or a vape shop, it can get to recycle, yes. The collaboration between governments, manufacturers and users is essential for the transition of a circular economy What surprised us the most was the disconnection, that despite the general awareness, only 14.3% know recycling programs and 51% do not consider ecological options when buying, which is alarming too. That gap between perception and action is a context of more than 100 million global users. This shows a real urgency to have information and a structure so that there are more ecological devices and there is more environmental awareness and there is more information about the reduction of damage by smoking.
06:21 - 06:23
[Joanna Junak]
And now, what are your plans?
06:26 - 07:49
[Aylen Van Isseldyk]
Well, as I said before, Circular Vape evolved THR, Ethics and Sustainability, in Spanish, which represents the natural evolution of it. This new approach expands the reach beyond APO devices, because in the first paper, as we were talking throughout the talk, we handle more what are open devices, APO devices, open systems, but now we are going to include an integrated evaluation of the environmental impact of other products of the reduced waste, such as snus, nicotine pouch and hot tobacco. My commitment is to demonstrate that the reduction of damage by tobacco, sustainability, are not only compatible, but they are mutually reinforced. If we can move towards a healthier life, para las personas y un planeta más sanos, al mismo tiempo promoviendo innovación irresponsable y ética en el sector de la nicotina. Este es el camino que seguiremos en los próximos meses, contribuyendo a las políticas públicas más equilibradas e informadas para los usuarios y tomadores de decisiones.
07:51 - 08:06
[Joanna Junak]
Thank you very much, Aylen. And with this we have reached the end for today. Tune in next time here on GFN TV or on our podcast. You can also find the transcriptions of each episode on the GFN TV website. Thank you for watching or for listening. See you next time.