Never put a disposable vape in the garbage or the Blue Bin. Disposable vapes are battery-powered, and the batteries are commonly lithium-ion, which the City of Toronto classes as household hazardous waste. Take them to a City Drop-Off Depot or a Community Environment Day instead.
Vaping products are for adults 19 and older in Ontario (see our guide to Ontario vaping rules). This guide is written for adults who want to get rid of a used device the right way.
Why vapes cannot go in the garbage or Blue Bin
Lithium-ion batteries can start fires when they are damaged, stored badly or thrown out the wrong way. That is why they are kept out of regular bins. Call2Recycle, which manages household battery collection and recycling, says batteries put in the trash or regular recycling can become damaged and cause fires at waste processing facilities.
The City of Toronto gives the same direction. Its lithium-ion battery safety page says batteries should never be placed in the garbage, recycling or Green Bin, and that improper storage and disposal can cause fires. Its electronics page says electronics should never go in the Blue Bin or the garbage.
A disposable vape is a small electronic device with a battery attached, so it counts as both electronic waste and battery waste. It is not household trash and it is not packaging.
How to dispose of disposable vapes in Toronto, step by step
These steps follow the City of Toronto’s battery guidance, plus common sense for a device that is not made to be taken apart.
- Do not puncture, crush or pry open the device. A damaged battery is the main risk. If the battery is not designed to come out, leave the device in one piece.
- Remove the battery only if it is made to be removed. The City does not accept batteries that are still attached to a device, so on a refillable device with a removable battery, take the battery out first. On a sealed disposable, do not force it. Ask the depot or 311 how they want it brought in.
- Cover the terminals. Put loose batteries in a clear plastic bag, or seal the terminals with clear packing tape, duct tape or electrical tape.
- Store it in a cool, dry place. Drop it off as soon as you can.
- Take damaged batteries in right away. If a battery or device is sparking or smoking, call 911. If it is safe to do so, move it outdoors, away from anything that can burn.
- Do not pour anything down the drain. The City says household hazardous waste must not go down the drain, toilet or sewer. For leftover e-liquid, pods or cartridges, search Waste Wizard or call 311 to find the right stream.
Quick reference: garbage, no. Blue Bin, no. Green Bin, no. A City Drop-Off Depot, a Community Environment Day or a household battery drop-off, yes, once you have confirmed what they accept.
Where to take them in Scarborough and Toronto
City of Toronto Drop-Off Depot
The Scarborough Drop-Off Depot is at 1 Transfer Place. It accepts household hazardous waste and electronic waste. Hours for those items are Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday. Hours can change around holidays, so check the City’s page before you go.
Come in a motorized vehicle. The City says walk-ins, bicycles and manual transportation devices are not permitted at Drop-Off Depots. Residential household hazardous waste drop-off is free of charge. Each drop-off is limited to 50 litres or kilograms in total.
Community Environment Days
Community Environment Days run from April to the end of September at community locations and at some depots. They take electronics and household hazardous waste, up to 50 litres or kilograms per drop-off. The City’s lithium-ion battery page lists Environment Days as a place to take batteries. The City’s site does not list Scarborough dates on the main page, so check its schedule or call 311 for events near you.
Household battery drop-off sites
Call2Recycle runs a network of household battery drop-off locations, and its Find a Drop-Off Location tool is at recycleyourbatteries.ca. It collects single-use and rechargeable household batteries weighing up to 5 kg each. Its dedicated vape recycling program page names Quebec only, so in Ontario call the site first and confirm they will take a vape or a vape battery. The drop-off locator phone line is 1.877.2.RECYCLE.
Not sure? Check Waste Wizard or call 311
Waste Wizard is the City’s lookup tool for where items belong. The City pages we checked do not list vapes or e-cigarettes by name, so search “vape” and “e-cigarette” there, or call 311, before you make the trip. That one check can save you a wasted drive.
Live in an apartment, condo or co-op? The City says your property manager or superintendent can also tell you where to dispose of these items in your building.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a disposable vape in the Blue Bin?
No. The City says electronics and batteries should never go in the Blue Bin or the garbage. Take the device to a Drop-Off Depot or a Community Environment Day, or ask Waste Wizard or 311 for the right option.
Do I need to take the battery out of a disposable vape?
The City does not accept batteries that are still attached to a device. If the battery is not made to be removed, do not pry the device open. Contact 311 or the depot before you go and ask how they want it brought in.
What should I do with a damaged or smoking vape battery?
Take damaged batteries in right away. If the battery or device is sparking or smoking, call 911, and if it is safe, move it outside away from anything that can burn.
Does it cost anything to drop off household hazardous waste?
The City says residential household hazardous waste drop-off is free of charge, with daily limits. Confirm how the City classes your item when you check Waste Wizard or 311.
Visit GTA Vapes Port Union
GTA Vapes Port Union is at 91 Rylander Blvd, Unit 1018, Scarborough, close to Port Union, West Rouge, Highland Creek, Centennial and West Hill. We are open Monday to Wednesday 8am to 11pm, Thursday and Friday 8am to midnight, Saturday 9am to midnight and Sunday 10am to 11pm.
Questions about our disposable vapes in Scarborough, or about the shop itself? Visit our vape shop in Scarborough or call (416) 724-8237. Bring photo ID, as all customers must be 19 or older.
Sources
- City of Toronto: Household Hazardous Waste
- City of Toronto: Lithium-ion batteries
- City of Toronto: Electronic Waste
- City of Toronto: Drop-Off Depot locations
- City of Toronto: Drop-Off Depots
- City of Toronto: Community Environment Days
- City of Toronto: Waste Wizard
- Call2Recycle: Find a Drop-Off Location
- Call2Recycle: Vapes program
- Ontario: Rules for selling tobacco and vapour products
