Navigating Vape Waste: Laws and Innovations

In this episode, tech reporter Samatha Cole shares what happened when she tried to “vape the internet” after seeing a viral post about a disposable touchscreen vape with built-in social media. We also hear from environmental philosopher and public health researcher Yogi Hale Hendlin, who says these high-tech disposables are made possible by a legal loophole — and that tackling the e-waste crisis will take a radical rethink of our relationship with the products we consume.

Guests:

Samantha Cole, Reporter and Co-Founder of 404 Media

Yogi Hale Hendlin, Environmental Philosopher and Assistant Professor at Erasmus University

Further reading:

I Tried to Vape the Internet - Samantha Cole, 404 Media 

Communities can't recycle or trash disposable e-cigarettes. So what happens to them? - Matthew Perrone, Associated Press

How ‘Sour Raspberry Gummy Bear’ — and Other Chinese Vapes — Made Fools of American Lawmakers - Marc Novicoff, Politico 

The right to repair electronics is now law in 3 states. Is Big Tech complying? - Maddie Stone, Grist  

Disposable vapes thrown away quadruples to 5 M per week - Material Focus

Read the transcript here

Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at CloseAllTabs@KQED.org

You can also follow us on Instagram

Credits:

This episode was reported and hosted by Morgan Sung. Our Producer is Maya Cueva. Chris Egusa is our Senior Editor. Additional editing by Jen Chien. Original music and sound design by Chris Egusa, with additional music from APM. Mixing and mastering by Brendan Willard and Chris Egusa. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad and Alana Walker. Katie Sprenger is our Podcast Operations Manager. Holly Kernan is our Chief Content Officer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices