The City of Casey is home to Victoria's first, free vape disposal points, with locations in Hampton Park, Clyde and Narre Warren.
Thanks to a partnership between Council, Ecocycle and Envirostream, residents now have the option to safely dispose of vapes at the following locations:
- Hampton Park Transfer Station: 274 Hallam Road, Hampton Park
- Melanie's Recycle and Community Collection Hub: 13 Pasadena Boulevard, Clyde
- Casey ARC Customer Service: 10 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren
There has been a significant increase in vaping uptake among Victorians, with 2022 data estimating approximately 308,000 users - more than double the number recorded in 2018/19.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM said this initiative was established due to no options being available anywhere across the state for the safe disposal of vapes.
"This has led to the unsafe disposal of vapes in kerbside bins, resulting in dangerous fires in trucks and recycling facilities," she said.
"The absence of dedicated drop-off points also resulted in an increase of vapes being littered across the municipality."
Since opening in November 2023, 88 kilograms or approximately 1,467 vapes, have been collected. Melanie's Recycle Hub has been the most popular, collecting 43 kilograms, followed by Hampton Park Transfer Station collecting 27 kilograms, and Casey ARC collecting 18 kilograms.
The vapes are then safely transported, disassembled and processed through a specialised recycling system.
Ms Duff said Council has provided information and guidance around vape recycling to 26 Victorian councils and also Monash Health.
"This has led to other councils holding vape collecting events, as well as the opening of another disposal point at St Kilda Town Hall in February this year," she said.
