Authority backs AB 762, urging refillable, rechargeable vaping devices to ease waste management
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Summary
The board approved a support letter for AB 762, which would ban single-use disposable vaping devices and require removable batteries and refillable, rechargeable designs; staff said the devices present a difficult waste-management problem because they combine batteries, electronics and liquids.
The Solid Waste Management Authority voted to send a support letter for Assembly Bill 762, legislation that would ban single-use disposable vaping devices and require vape products to be rechargeable, refillable and have removable batteries.
Director framed the matter as a materials-management issue: "vaping devices are a particular problem" for schools and waste managers because they contain batteries, electronics and liquids and lack a reliable disposal stream. Director said the bill would ban the import, sale and distribution of single-use disposable vaporizers effective January 2026 and require manufacturers to design devices so batteries are removable and devices are rechargeable and refillable.
Commissioners debated the scope: one said they would "be in more support of just banning them, period," while others supported AB 762 as a practical step to ensure devices have an "afterlife" management path. Director told the board staff recommend a support letter because there is currently no effective local disposal option for many disposable vapes.
The board moved and approved sending a support letter on AB 762. Director and commissioners noted the measure is the last remaining vaping-related bill of the two-year session and that staff prefer design requirements over leaving single-use devices in the waste stream.