Rise of single use vapes sending tonnes of lithium to landfill TBIJ Five million single use vapes discarded each week, research finds The Standard Disposable vapes are difficult to recycle because theyre made from a mixture of materials including plastic, copper, and a lithium battery. Theyre designed as a single unit, which means the Disposable Vape Ban Leads Britons to Throw Away Reusables Instead Bloomberg For Money 5 Million Disposable Vapes Thrown Away Per Week Research Proper Disposal Of Vape Pens