The environmental impact of vaping [Video]

The medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph is concerned about the effects of vaping on the environment.

Dr. Nicola Mercer calls the electronic vape pens “a problem product.”

“I think we all want to make sure manufacturers are responsible for the products they give us,” says Mercer. “And this is a really bad environmental product.”

Mercer notes that vaping products have evolved from large canisters, to refillable products, and now they’re disposable.

“They’re plastic, with electronic wiring in them,” she says. “They also have a lithium ion battery and they contain a cartridge that will also always carry some residual nicotine and other carcinogenic chemicals.”

This has Mercer asking the question, “Where do you dispose of these products? They’re absolutely not a recyclable item.”

She says there is a lot of confusion about what to do when throwing away a vape pen.

Mercer says some manufacturers advise to remove the …