Disposable Vapes Join Cigarette Butts as Growing Coastal Pollution Threat, Surfrider Foundation Warns

## Vape Waste Adds to Coastal Pollution Burden as Tobacco Litter Reaches 1 in 4 Beach Items A new wave of toxic tobacco-related waste is compounding the long-standing problem of cigarette butt pollution on America's coastlines, according to the Surfrider Foundation's latest Beach Cleanup Report released in July 2026. The report finds that smoking-related waste now accounts for one in every four littered items collected during beach cleanups across the United States — a figure that coastal managers and marine environmental advocates say underscores the persistent failure of land-based waste management to protect shoreline and ocean ecosystems. Of particular concern is the rapid rise of disposable vape devices entering the waste stream. According to the Surfrider Foundation, approximately 500,000 disposable vapes are discarded daily in the United States. Unlike conventional cigarette butts — which have long been identified as the single most collected item in global beach cleanups — disposable vapes present a compounded environmental hazard. Each device contains a lithium-ion battery, plastic components, and residual nicotine-laced liquid, all of which pose risks to marine life and coastal water quality when improperly disposed of. The report also flags a 641% surge in nicotine pouch sales, signalling that a further category of tobacco-adjacent waste may soon feature more prominently in beach litter inventories. ### Implications for Coastal and Port Communities For maritime industry stakeholders — including port authorities, cruise terminal operators, and coastal facility managers — the findings carry practical relevance. Ports and marine terminals are frequently situated at the interface of urban environments and waterways, making them potential conduits for land-based litter entering the marine environment. International conventions, including MARPOL Annex V, prohibit the discharge of garbage from vessels, but land-sourced pollution entering coastal waters via stormwater runoff and direct littering remains a significant and less regulated challenge. The Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organisation focused on the protection of oceans, waves, and beaches, has been conducting systematic beach cleanup data collection for decades. Its annual reports are widely referenced by environmental regulators, coastal planners, and international bodies tracking marine litter trends. The organisation is calling for extended producer responsibility legislation targeting tobacco and nicotine product manufacturers, as well as improved disposal infrastructure at public coastal access points. As the maritime industry continues to face scrutiny over its own environmental footprint, the broader issue of marine litter — regardless of its source — remains a reputational and regulatory concern for all sectors operating in and around coastal waters.