An Alabama environmental group is dealing with pollution of a different kind. The Cahaba River Keeper is asking for help with vaping pens that are being tossed in the river.
The group said the single use vape smoking pens are growing in popularity and that means more are thrown away as trash.
Cahaba Riverkeeper David Butler said the long-term effects of the chemicals in vapes are still unknown. He also said the companies that make them should take responsibility and encourage customers to dispose of vapes properly.
“Well, I think when you manufacture, distribute, popularize and make convenient a single use device that contains a battery and all the things that come with it, that you do have an obligation to own the byproduct of it,” Butler said.
Butler said vaping pen manufacturers and their customers should think about the environmental impact before discarding these single use products.
“Just understanding how people use their products and where they end up would certainly create some opportunities for them to engage in an education campaign to let people know the importance of disposing of these devices properly,” Butler said.
Butler suggested a plan for returning used vaping pens similar to what car owners do with old used batteries.
