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AB 998

Household hazardous waste: vape pens.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Hadwick

AB 998 requires California to classify vape pens as hazardous waste and establish manufacturer-led collection and disposal programs to prevent environmental contamination and fire hazards.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 998

Legislative bill overview

AB 998 would classify vape pens as household hazardous waste in California and establish regulated disposal protocols for these devices. The bill requires producers or retailers to manage end-of-life vape pen collection and disposal, similar to existing hazardous waste programs for batteries and electronics.

Why is this important

Vape pens contain lithium batteries and potentially hazardous chemicals that pose environmental and safety risks when improperly discarded. Improper disposal can contaminate water supplies, harm waste facility workers, and create fire hazards in landfills and recycling centers—issues California has documented in recent years.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden allocation: Disagreement over whether manufacturers, retailers, or consumers should bear costs for collection and disposal infrastructure
  • Regulatory scope: Questions about how extensively vape products would be regulated compared to other nicotine delivery systems or electronic devices
  • Compliance complexity: Small retailers and convenience stores may face administrative challenges implementing new collection and tracking requirements
  • Definitional boundaries: Uncertainty about which vaping devices qualify (disposable vs. refillable, nicotine vs. cannabis products) and whether consistency with federal e-waste rules exists

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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