Proposed Illinois Bill Mandates Disposal Programs for Vapes

Two Illinois high school students are proving you don't have to be old enough to vote to make a difference.

Andrew Diaz and Allison Hovaniec, students at Pontiac High School in central Illinois, helped draft a bill that would require producers of electronic smoking devices, like vapes and e-cigarettes, to create and manage disposal programs for their products.

The idea came from a government class assignment. Instead of just turning in a project for a grade, they decided to tackle something they were seeing in real life:

VAPES. EVERYWHERE.

VAPES ON SIDEWALKS.

VAPES IN PARKING LOTS.

VAPES IN THE TRASH.

Illinois Students Push Legislation Targeting Single-Use Vape Waste

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Under the proposal, producers would have to establish and finance stewardship programs to collect used devices and either recycle or safely dispose of their parts. Companies could run their own program or join together to form a statewide producer responsibility organization. They would also be required to inform their customers about how and where to dispose of the devices.

Electronic smoking devices contain batteries, metals, plastics, and hazardous substances like nicotine. Because of those materials, they typically can't just be tossed in a regular recycling bin. Most end up in landfills, raising environmental and public health concerns, according to the Illinois Environmental Council.

The bill would require brands owners to set up or join a program within two years of the law taking effect. Programs would need approval from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Producers that don't comply? They could face civil penalties of up to $10,000. These two students worked with State Rep. Kelly Cassidy to draft the legislation. The bill was filed in January, and referred to committee on February 2nd. It is now awaiting a hearing.