Delta County Public Health is launching a new initiative to tackle the growing concerns around vape litter, environmental damage, and youth vaping. The program, led by the State Tobacco Education Prevention Partnership (STEPP), will see vape disposal boxes placed across the county—making it easier than ever for residents to safely toss used e-cigarettes and disposable vapes.

This isn’t just about trash. It’s about keeping kids safe and protecting public spaces from harmful waste.

Vape Waste Is More Dangerous Than It Looks

They may look harmless enough—sleek, colorful, palm-sized devices tossed into bins or parks. But disposable vapes and e-cigarettes come with a hidden cost. Inside each one are lithium batteries and toxic chemicals that, if dumped improperly, can leak into soil, water, and even catch fire.

“On the western slope, we are such an outdoor community,” said Shirley Tatto, STEPP coordinator at DCPH. “I think it’s really important that we protect our outdoor community from things like waste, hazardous chemicals, and trash.”

Tatto isn’t exaggerating. These devices don’t break down like your average soda can or paper bag. Their batteries can spark fires in trash trucks or landfills. The nicotine residue and synthetic compounds inside are classified as hazardous waste. Tossing them in a regular bin isn’t just careless—it’s risky.

Where the Boxes Are Going—and Why Parks Matter

The program will eventually include 15 vape disposal boxes, each placed in a key location across Delta County. Some of them are already installed. Others will be rolled out by mid-June.

The current box locations include:

• Delta: Public Health Office, Public Library, Confluence Park Pavilion, Cleland Park Pavilion, Rocky Mountain Vape

• Paonia: Public Library, Town Park

• Crawford, Hotchkiss, Cedaredge: Each town’s Public Library

Putting them in parks and libraries wasn’t random—it was intentional. Tatto shared a sobering anecdote: a woman told her that her 10-year-old son had started vaping after finding a used vape in a public park.

“Maybe it’s a middle schooler that decides he wants to try it because he found it,” Tatto explained. “If we can keep those out of their hands, we can keep them safe.” It’s as much about protection as it is about prevention.

What the Program Aims to Solve

There are two big goals here: protect the environment and keep vapes out of kids’ hands.

Delta County has seen a rise in youth vaping over the past several years, mirroring national trends. And while legislation and school policies help, they don’t prevent young people from stumbling upon discarded devices.

At the same time, local waste management workers have voiced concerns about how to handle the growing piles of vape waste.

The vape disposal boxes offer a practical fix:

• Easy drop-off points for used e-cigarettes

• Preventing toxic leaching into public land

• Reducing fire risk from improperly tossed lithium batteries

• Cutting off access to abandoned vapes by minors

That’s not just a win for the environment—it’s a win for public health.

Community Response and What Comes Next

It’s early days, but the buzz around the program is growing. Residents appreciate the focus on public safety and the thoughtful placement of disposal boxes in places families visit frequently. There’s also an educational layer baked in: signage near the boxes informs people about why vape waste matters and how they can help.

Tatto said she’s already thinking ahead. “I’m excited about this program and I’m excited to have us involved into other programs as we continue to strategize and come up with some really good things,” she said.

She hinted that DCPH might expand this model to include collection efforts for other hard-to-dispose-of items, like batteries or sharps, building on the momentum.

One thing’s for sure—this isn’t just a short-term fix. It’s part of a broader push by Delta County to rethink how it handles public health in outdoor spaces.