Hey vape fam! BOB here from VAPORESSO—let’s cut to the chase: Vaping’s great, but all those discarded devices? They’re giving Mother Earth a major side-eye 
. Today we’re settling the big question: Disposables, pre-filled pods, or refillable systems—who’s the greenest of ’em all? Spoiler: It’s not the one you toss after a weekend. Grab your reusable water bottle, and let’s dive in!
1. Disposables: The “Single-Use Coffee Cup” of Vaping 
Let’s start with the elephant in the landfill: disposable vapes. Yeah, they’re convenient (rip-and-go, no charging, no mess)—but convenience here comes with a massive eco-cost.
Consider this: In the UK alone, 1.3 million disposables get tossed every week . That’s 67.6 million a year—enough to stack from London to Paris… twice. And here’s the kicker: Most are made of mixed plastics, lithium batteries, and metal that can’t be recycled . Even worse? Each has ~0.15g of lithium—precious stuff that could power EVs, but instead ends up leaking toxic gunk into landfills .
I once found three disposables in a park trash can—all from the same brand, all used up in 3 days. That’s like buying a new phone just to make one call. Environmentally speaking? Disposables are the ultimate “one-and-done” villain. No surprise the UK’s banning them in 2025 —good riddance!
2. Pre-Filled Pods (Like XROS 2): The “Middle Ground Hero” 
Now let’s talk pre-filled pod systems (shoutout to our XROS 2!). These are step up from disposables—you keep the reusable battery/host, just swap the pod. But are they green? Let’s break it down.
The win: A single XROS 2 host lasts 18+ months (I’ve had mine since last year!), so you’re not dumping a full device weekly. The catch? Those plastic pods still add up. But here’s where VAPORESSO plays nice: Our XROS pre-filled pods use food-grade PP5 plastic (the recyclable kind!) and we’re rolling out in-store recycling bins this year .
Compared to disposables, they’re a home run: One XROS host + 20 pods = way less waste than 20 disposables. Think of it like switching from single-use water bottles to a reusable bottle with pre-made drink packets. Not perfect, but a huge upgrade for busy vapers who want to be kinder to the planet.
3. Refillable Systems (XROS 5 FTW!): The Eco-Champion 
Now for the green MVP: refillable vapes (hello, XROS 5 Refillable Pod Kit!). These are the “reusable tote bag” of vaping—minimal waste, maximum sustainability.
Here’s why they crush it:
- Almost no plastic waste: The XROS 5’s pod is made of shatterproof, food-safe plastic that lasts 4–6 weeks (I refill mine 20+ times!). When it finally wears out, the pod is 100% recyclable .
- Tiny carbon footprint: Refilling from 10ml e-liquid bottles cuts manufacturing emissions by 75% vs. pre-filled pods . No more shipping thousands of tiny pre-filled containers—just one bottle for weeks of vaping.
- Coil magic: Instead of tossing the whole pod, you just swap the XROS 5’s ProCore coil (which takes 2 seconds!). Our coils use recycled stainless steel, and we even have a mail-in recycling program for old ones.
I switched my cousin from disposables to XROS 5 last month. He used to toss 4 disposables a week—now he generates one coil wrapper and a empty e-liquid bottle monthly. That’s like going from driving a gas guzzler to a bike.
The Surprise Twist: It’s Not Just the Device—It’s the Brand 
Eco-friendliness isn’t just about “refillable vs. disposable”—it’s about how brands design for sustainability. At VAPORESSO:
- We use magnesium alloy for XROS hosts (lighter = less shipping emissions!) .
- Our e-liquid bottles are made of 30% recycled plastic.
- We’re testing biodegradable pods that break down in 2 years (stay tuned!).
Cheap refillable vapes might cut corners with non-recyclable parts—but a quality system like XROS 5 is built to last and be recycled.
Final Verdict: Green Ranking (From Worst to Best!)
- Disposables:
Avoid at all costs—environmental nightmare. - Pre-filled pods:
Great for newbies or occasional vapers—way better than disposables. - Refillable systems (XROS 5!):
The gold standard—minimal waste, maximum control.
At the end of the day, going green doesn’t mean sacrificing convenience. The XROS 5 lets you refill in 10 seconds, keep the same sleek device for years, and sleep easy knowing you’re not trashing the planet.
Ready to ditch the disposables and join the eco-vape club? Grab a XROS 5 Refillable Kit today. Your wallet (and the earth) will thank you.
Happy vaping—may your clouds be thick and your waste be thin! 