EBS STAFF
The Gallatin City-County Health Department has collaborated with the Gallatin County Solid Waste Management to create an e-cigarette disposal program. A press release from the GCCHD stated that community members can drop off their e-cigarettes at the Bozeman Convenience Site Tuesdays through Saturdays between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. free of charge.
The Bozeman Convenience Site is located at 2143 Story Mill Rd in Bozeman and staff will instruct individuals on where to place materials when they arrive at the scale house window.
Why not just throw e-cigarettes in the trash?
According to GCCHD, over 75% of e-cigarette users don’t properly dispose of their devices. Many e-cigarette users dispose of their devices in the trash which can create serious environmental danger.
Trashing e-cigarettes can lead to risks of contamination, pollution and fire. The devices contain lithium-ion batteries and electronic pieces that can release dangerous materials into the nearby environment. Materials like lithium, nickel, cadmium and can seep into soil and water posing risk to ecosystems.
“We’re thrilled to share our partnership with Gallatin County Solid Waste Management and the launch of an e-cigarette disposal program,” stated Cherie Murbach, Tobacco
Education Specialist at Gallatin City-County Health Department, in the release. “This program enables people in Gallatin County to dispose of their e-cigarettes safely and responsibly. It shows our commitment to taking care of both people’s health and our local environment.”
