These devices contain plastic, a battery, but also liquid residues. When correctly recycled, the materials in them, especially lithium, can be reused for the production of other equipment.

In the United Kingdom, one of the largest markets for such devices, nearly 5 million of these devices are thrown away weekly.

Giovanna, 23, has been using disposable e-cigarettes for nearly a year. She estimates that she has bought dozens, if not hundreds, of such devices.

Giovanna Balan: "I usually throw them in the trash. Just like I throw away the other things".

These devices contain plastic, metals and a liquid that can become flammable.

Cristian Pocol, President of the Respo Deee Association: "These devices are constructed from non-biodegradable plastic, which has a slow degradation process lasting 400 years in natural conditions. Additionally, these batteries have the potential to ignite, leading to fires, which can occur in the waste bins where these devices are discarded".

According to the law, when purchasing such a product, sellers should take back the old one for free based on a buy-back procedure. However, not all retailers do this.

Hidden camera - store conversation

Cashier: "I don't know. Do you know what happens to these cigarettes after they are used? Are they thrown away?".

Another cashier: "Yes".

Reporter: "In regular trash?".

Another cashier: "I think so".

Raul Pop, store manager: "If customers bring in five devices, they get a new one in exchange".

Representatives of an overseas NGO point out that nearly half of consumers throw the devices in the same place as household waste or...on the streets. This is happening despite the slow emergence of collection points, currently only in some shopping centers.

These devices will end up at a recycling center, where the battery will be manually removed first. Then the rest of the device will be crushed, and the other materials, such as plastic, iron, aluminum and copper, will be separated and reused.

Alexandra Nicolescu, Ecotic Communication Officer: "During 2021, we managed to gather approximately 12 tons of such waste - e-cigarettes and vape devices". A rather small amount".

Scott Butler, CEO of Material Focus: "Many of them are thrown on the street, like cigarette butts. We've encountered situations in which car tires exploded upon running over these devices or even caught fire, resulting in harm to vehicles".

A UK-based organization approximates that the lithium from the batteries of such devices used in the UK over the course of a year, could potentially manufacture nearly 5,000 batteries for electric vehicles.