RLX Technology unveils project to recycle used vaping pods

Amid nationwide sustainable efforts toward goals set by the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-26), e-vaporizer maker RLX Technology recently announced a green project to invest 20 million yuan ($3.1 million) to recycle used e-liquid pods in China as raw materials for cement.

RLX, together with China Siyuan Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, said during a company's event on Sept 2 that the cement made by recycled pods will be donated to China's rural areas to help build infrastructure such as road and bridges.

Soon to be launched within the same month, the project will start in Beijing and reach 10 Chinese cities by next February. It aims to cover all RLX stores in China by the end of 2022. RLX will collect not only its own used pods, but those of all various brands.

As vaping has gained popularity, disposing the used pods has become a major concern for companies and users.

Currently, the usual ways to process used pods involve burning or burying them — which cannot solve the root problem as these methods cause secondary environmental harm and produce no further economic value, said Guo Guangdong, head of public relations and external affairs of RLX.

"Our goal was clear at the very start when we began the project -- we wanted a solution that can efficiently recycle the materials and create more value," Guo said.

During research, RLX found that although cement is mainly composed of limestone and clay, metal and other solid wastes also play an indispensable role in cement production to optimize its functionality for various applications. The materials in disposed pods perfectly match the requirements of cement.

While the disposed pods can be fully recycled and reused after mixing them into the raw materials for cement, the procedure largely reduces the amount of ash and furnace slag compared to conventional methods of processing the pods..

"The project, which can also enhance ties between RLX and its users, is a key step for the company to fulfill corporate social responsibility with our own industrial characteristics," said Kate Wang, CEO and founder of RLX.

From September, users can receive a special recycling bag in RLX-branded stores in China to collect the pods and send them back to recycling bins placed in the stores. RLX will also accept pods of other brands.