this post was submitted on 05 Nov 2024
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Disposable vapes are indefensible. Many, or maybe most, of them contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, but manufacturers prefer to sell new ones.

To make a point about how wasteful this practice is—and to also make a pretty rad project and video—Chris Doel took 130 disposable vape batteries (the bigger "3,500 puff" types with model 20400 cells) found littered at a music festival and converted them into a 48-volt, 1,500-watt e-bike battery, one that powered an e-bike with almost no pedaling more than 20 miles. You can see the whole build and watch Doel zoom along trails on his YouTube video.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

Perhaps it's odd, but I have never seen anyone use a vape in public. Nor have I seen one just lying on the ground. I maybe need to get out the forest here and visit civilization for a bit again.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

They are super common where weed is legal. People fly into somewhere like Denver for the weekend to catch a show. Rather than buying a reusable battery, they will get a disposable vape (and probably some gummies).

Then it ends up in the landfill or as litter. I am in favor of making these one time use electronics illegal (along with single use plastics like balloons, plastic silverware, etc.. but that is another thread)

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

They aren't even disposable, so it's crazy to me how they can be sold as such.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah, I live in legal weed state. The nearest dispensary is a mere 20 miles away. I'm not even sure they sell vapes. Flower and edibles for sure, but I have no idea if they sell vapes. (I've never been there-- weed just ain't my thing). But I still don't see any used ones tossed out. Maybe we are just neater people here and don't litter.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Come to Canada, we have weed stores on every block, like Tim Hortons but actually beneficial to the people

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I live closer to Winnipeg than I do to my state capital. We are often referred to as "Canada Lite" by other states.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Sounds like a win in my book!

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Go to a nightclub sometime. Discounted vapes in the outside areas are a tripping Hazard.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago

Gigs and concerts are pretty grim for this now too.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

Discarded vapes? The only immediate trip hazard of tripping on discounted vapes would be the mob of people trying to buy them.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

Ain't no night clubs within 100 miles of me. Plenty of bars, but no night clubs.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Despite the larger size and bright colors, they're a bit more discreet than cigarettes. Most places that ban cigarettes equally ban vapes, so they're often concealed more. That probably has a spillover effect to areas they're allowed. They're only activated when sucked, so, unlike a cigarette that's burning whether you suck it or not, most people take a puff or 3 of vape and then go a few minutes without it. It's not as obvious as a person deliberately smoking one whole cigarette.

But maybe they're not around you. I think the other comments covered the locations well enough, sarcasm included. But if you suddenly smell something sweet like fruit or cereal, casually take a look for someone vaping

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Oh I've seen pictures of them. Just haven't seen one in the real world nor seen one tossed on the ground. I do suspect they just aren't popular around me. Smokers around here probably prefer real cigarettes.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Eh, my coworker alternates between cigarettes and vape, and plenty of people vape or smoke in the parking lot here.

I've never seen a vape on the ground though, I think most at my office don't use disposable vapes.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I mean, yeah. Have you ever been outside?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

I probably spend more time you side than you do. I just mostly do it in a forest.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

really? they're almost as common as cigarette butts once were now. are you a hermit?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

The basement has been good to me to.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

I wouldn't claim to be all that enamored of humans as a rule. But I'm not a hermit in the classic sense.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I've never seen a discarded vape, but I've seen a lot of people vaping, as well as a lot of cigarettes and butts. That said, I spend almost zero time downtown, so my exposure is mostly my work parking lot and a few stores.