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I live in Pa.
As of October 19, 2026. The sell of only approved vaping devices can be sold. My understanding. A huge portion of sellable devices are banned.
I am in retirement. I do my walk around town everyday. A guideline to being retired. I have my well established route.
And what do I see. Vape devices thrown on the ground everywhere. I guess the Vaper. Vaped his last vape with his unapproved device. Just a guess. Mind you.
Well. Yes. I picked them up. Why? I saw a video on You- tube covering getting gold out of vape devices. It was actually discouraging. But. I have to hand it to individuals that will explore the unknown.
But. In my mind. Hey. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." What really got me thinking. I saw a charging port.
Again. I am not familiar with vaping in any way shape or form.
Before attempting to even try to take apart one of these devices. I thought of course to post.
I did read online. Vaping devices should go Hazmat for disposal.
Ok. Enough said. I think any forum member gets what my questions are.
But. I will say this. I am ready to go to the three vaping stores here in town and offer taking thier illegal vape devices.
Here to learn like everybody else.
My evaluations are my own opinion.

I broke one down on my what’s inside it posts.y

You have 3 real issues picking up a vape that’s used.
Fist is communicable disease.
Second is a small pouch battery with very little protection
Third is pure raw nicotine, which can be fatal in very very very small doses. Like drops on you skin you have a problem, drain a partially full tank and big issues.

What’s inside if interest? Not much
A few wires. A tiny motor for the atomiser. A tiny board. A tiny high peripheral board. If it’s a rechargeable, a usb port. None of the internals beyond the glass vial and the battery will do much to trip a gem scale let alone the ounces you need to plug into the sales chart.
Probably the most expensive part other than the nicotine is the clean aluminium shell.

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Thanks Lostinlodos.
Now. That you mentioned your post. I now faintly remember you addressed the issue. It had to be my first introduction to the forum and did some randomn reading.
Oh. Yes. I thought immediately about health issues.
Just thought to post. I guess my real intention was to show how circumstances evolve from a new law being passed. I personally did not see any advertised drop off sites for spent vapes.
Again. Thank you Lost for your response.
Here to learn like everybody else.
My evaluations are my own opinion.

https://boardsort.com/escrapforum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18730&p=32518&hilit=Nicotine#p32518
Found it.
Here to learn like everybody else.
My evaluations are my own opinion.

Thing with looking for gold in vapes, is it’s like chasing the rainbow
.
There are 7 standardised designs in THIS country. 3 usually have gold contacts inside. All three are the box lighter type. 2 are refillable, one is a charge till empty disposable.

There’s an estimated 30+ designs world wide. Across 5 companies under dozens of brands.



It doesn’t help your case, but there is a safeER cigarette alternative to part out.
E-cigarettes. They are as wide as a standard smoke and run 60mm-200mm in length.
These predate modern vapes, are still around, and used by older smokers.
They have a very different design, for both use and build.
Still need gloves but with some basic understanding, much safer to disassemble.

If you ever dealt with a stick light, or small LED strip, the design is almost identical.
If interested I can walk through breaking one of those down. These are what I travel with. Most international airports that have banned smoking and cigarette lounges, still have hidden but legally usable vape lounges.

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I'm ok.
I saw what I needed on You-tube.
But. I have to thank you for pointing out how dangerous nicotine is. Never would have thought that. Some of those You-tubers were taking them apart without gloves.
I never picked up the smoking habit. In any way,shape,or form. I am thankful.
Yeah. Maybe you should do a video. Pointing out all the safety precautions one should take. That's important.
But. As you said. "Chasing the rainbow". Or. As I see it. "Grasping the wind."
It just caught my interest after seeing all these discarded vapes lying around on the streets here where I live.
Thanks for educated responses.
Here to learn like everybody else.
My evaluations are my own opinion.

The volume of tossed vapes drives me crazy.
You’re going back to the store anyway,
Most stores have some sort of takeback program (they want one or two, yours, not 25 from the walk).

I bought a return bin since there’s so many around here. Pick them up and drop them in a baggie as I walk. That bin is filling up fast. I don’t disassemble them. It’s just not a safe thing to deal with.

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Those little lithium cells are the part that would make me pause, smashed disposables can turn nasty fast. The boards look tempting but the actual recoverable value seems pretty thin.