Vapes and lithium batteries disposal guidelines Americans throw away 5.7 disposable vape pens every second. That's 500,000 per day or 182 million per year! Fortunately, Shawnee County Solid Waste has a few locations where you can responsibly dispose Nicotine vape devices are now accepted for safe disposal at the @Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center's Hazardous Material Collection Facility. Vape devices contain toxic nicotine and lithium ion batteries. Improper disposal of How to Safely Dispose of E Cigarettes: Information for Individuals US EPA