ASK A SCIENTIST
Do you ever wonder about various aspects of plastics and plastic pollution? Our science director, Trisha Vaidyanathan, Ph.D., is here to shed some light on these questions in her monthly column, “Ask a Scientist.”
Got a question? If you would like to ask a question for Trisha’s consideration, please submit it using this form. Please note that we cannot guarantee an answer to every question we receive.
Why are single-use tobacco and cannabis vaping devices an emerging plastic pollution issue?
Waste from disposable vapes has increased in recent years. In just the two years between 2021 and 2023, 35 million more vapes were thrown away in the U.S., resulting in an estimated 5.7 disposable vapes thrown away every second in 2023. However, disposable vapes are a uniquely concerning type of plastic pollution—vapes are a triple threat that combines three waste problems in one: single-use plastic, hazardous chemicals, and electronic waste.