GRANTSBURG, Wis. — August 2026 — EcoVape-Recovery, a Wisconsin-based vape waste recovery initiative, is expanding its national outreach as its community-based efforts gain recognition from established organizations in the environmental and waste-recycling fields.
EcoVape-Recovery is a recipient of a 2026 Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling Program (CLPR) grant, supporting community efforts focused on cigarette waste prevention, collection, recycling and education.
The grant represents an important milestone for EcoVape-Recovery as it continues developing practical solutions for tobacco-related waste and addressing the broader environmental and waste-management challenges associated with discarded vaping products.
“Being selected for a Keep America Beautiful grant is a major milestone for EcoVape-Recovery,” said Raymond Tucker, founder of EcoVape-Recovery. “It gives us another opportunity to educate communities, build awareness and demonstrate that waste problems can be addressed when people are given practical solutions.”
Seeking National Sustainability Recognition
EcoVape-Recovery has submitted its work for consideration for the National Waste & Recycling Association's 2026 Excellence in Recycling or Sustainability Public Education Award.
The award recognizes organizations demonstrating excellence in recycling or sustainability public education. EcoVape-Recovery's application highlights its efforts to educate the public about vape waste, responsible disposal, recycling and the environmental and safety concerns associated with discarded vape devices.
“Education is one of the most important parts of solving this problem,” Tucker said. “People need to understand what happens when these devices are thrown in the trash or recycling, and they need to know there are better options.”
Expanding Beyond Wisconsin
EcoVape-Recovery's national outreach now includes an official collaboration with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (Montana DEQ).
The collaboration represents an important step in expanding EcoVape-Recovery's work beyond its Wisconsin roots and sharing information and practical approaches to vape waste management with partners in other states.
Montana is now part of EcoVape-Recovery's growing service area as the organization works to provide responsible vape waste collection and disposal options for communities, businesses and organizations.
“Working with Montana DEQ is a significant milestone for EcoVape-Recovery,” Tucker said. “It shows that the need for a responsible solution to vape waste reaches well beyond one community or one state.”
Building a Community-Based Model
Vape devices can contain lithium-ion batteries, electronics, plastics and other materials that create unique challenges at the end of their useful life. Improper disposal can contribute to environmental concerns and battery-related fire risks within waste and recycling systems.
EcoVape-Recovery's approach combines collection, education, environmental stewardship and responsible downstream management, with an emphasis on making responsible disposal options more accessible to communities.
“We started small because somebody had to start,” Tucker said. “Now we're seeing that there are people and organizations across the country who understand that this is a problem worth solving.”
EcoVape-Recovery continues to pursue partnerships with communities, government agencies, businesses, recyclers, waste-management organizations and environmental groups to help develop practical solutions for vape waste.
About EcoVape-Recovery
EcoVape-Recovery is a Wisconsin-based vape waste recovery initiative focused on reducing improper disposal of discarded vape devices and promoting responsible end-of-life management. The organization works to increase collection opportunities, raise public awareness and encourage development of practical vape waste recovery infrastructure.
