A Torch Lighter Disposal Guide for 2025

Wondering can you throw away lighters after your trusty Xikar or Colibri fails to light your 42-60 ring gauge cigar? Before tossing that torch lighter, you might be able to fix it—check our Torch Lighter Not Working guide to troubleshoot common issues like clogs or air pockets. If it’s beyond repair, improper disposal of butane lighters can pose safety and environmental risks. In this 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through safe, eco-friendly ways to dispose of cigar lighters, tailored for enthusiasts. With Amazon picks for refillable lighters and FAQs, you’ll keep your cigar sessions sustainable. Let’s shred those disposal worries!

Shop Refillable Torch Lighters on Amazon

In one of my desk drawers, I recently found a bunch of empty BIC and cheap “gas station” lighters. Because they are plastic, I planned to recycle them, but my wife said they have to go in the trash. So that made me wonder, can you throw away lighters, or should you recycle them? I did a little research and wrote this short post to share the info that I found.

Why You Shouldn’t Just Throw Away Cigar Lighters

Cigar lighters, especially butane torch models like Vertigo or S.T. Dupont, contain flammable fuel and pressurized components, making them hazardous waste. Tossing them in the trash risks:

• Fire Hazards: Residual butane can ignite in garbage trucks or landfills.
• Environmental Impact: Plastic and metal components pollute if not recycled properly.
• Legal Issues: Some regions (e.g., California, New York) ban lighter disposal in regular trash, per municipal guidelines.

Before disposing, try fixing your lighter with our Torch Lighter Not Working guide for cigar-specific tips. If it’s kaput, follow these steps to dispose safely, keeping your cigar ritual eco-friendly.

How to Dispose of a Torch Lighter Safely

Follow these four cigar-focused steps to safely dispose of your torch lighter, ensuring no harm to the environment or your next herf.

1. Check If Your Lighter Can Be Fixed

Before you toss your lighter, see if it’s salvageable. Issues like clogged jets or air pockets are common with cigar lighters and are often fixable.

• How to Check:
  1. Inspect for fuel (shake or check the fuel window).
  2. Clean jets with compressed air (e.g., Dust-Off).
  3. Bleed air pockets and refill with 5x+ refined butane.
  4. If it still fails, proceed to disposal.
• Fixing your torch lighter saves money and reduces waste

Buy Compressed Air on Amazon

2. Purge All Butane Fuel

Emptying the butane is critical to safely dispose of cigar lighters, as residual fuel poses fire risks.

• How to Purge:
  1. Ensure no open flames or cigars are nearby—butane is highly flammable.
  2. Wear safety glasses and place a rag on a table.
  3. Hold the lighter vertically, fill valve up (usually on the bottom).
  4. Press the valve with a screwdriver or bleed tool until hissing stops (5-10 seconds). Repeat until no fuel escapes.
• Cigar Tip: Purging prevents flavor taint in future cigar sessions by ensuring no butane leaks during disposal.

How to bleed a butane lighter

3. Find a Hazardous Waste Facility

Butane lighters are considered household hazardous waste and should be taken to a designated facility, not thrown in the trash.

• How to Dispose:
  1. Check local recycling or hazardous waste programs (e.g., Earth911.com, municipal sites like calgary.ca).
  2. Locate a drop-off center (e.g., city recycling facilities or events).
  3. Place the purged lighter in a sealed container to prevent leaks during transport.
  4. Confirm local regulations—some areas require special handling for lighters.
• Cigar Tip: Many facilities accept cigar lighters like Visol or Vertigo alongside other hazardous items, keeping your smoking setup sustainable.

4. Consider Refillable Lighters to Reduce Waste

Instead of disposing frequently, switch to refillable torch lighters to minimize environmental impact.

• How to Choose:
  1. Opt for durable, metal-bodied lighters (e.g., S.T. Dupont Minijet, $100-$200).
  2. Use high-purity butane to extend lighter life and reduce clogs.
  3. Maintain regularly to avoid disposal—check out our how to clean a torch lighter guide.
  4. Shop eco-friendly lighters on Amazon for long-term cigar use.
• Cigar Tip: Refillable lighters save cash and the planet, perfect for toasting 42-60 ring gauge cigars at herfs or home lounges.

FAQs for Throwing Away Lighters

Can You Throw Away Lighters?

In almost all areas of the United States, yes, you can, but it depends on the type of lighter.

Can You Throw Away Common Disposable Lighters?

For Example, BIC lighters, Clipper lighters, Gereric Plastic lighters

If the lighter is completely empty, then YES, you can throw it away.

If the lighter has fluid or fuel in it, then NO, you can’t throw it away.

Can you Throw Away Plasma Lighters, Heated Coil Lighters, USB-type lighters?

NO. Don’t put these types of lighters in the trash. Because these lighters have batteries, they have to go to a hazardous waste point.

Can You Throw Away Zippo Lighters?

Like BIC lighters, as long as they are completely empty and will no longer light up, you can throw them away.

Can You Throw Away Mixed Types Of Lighters?

There are plenty of butane lighters that have electronic ignition and internal batteries. You can’t throw away or recycle these types of lighters. You will need to dispose of it at a hazardous waste collection point.

Can You Throw Away A Lighter That Still Has Fluid In It?

If you are still able to fire up the lighter, you can burn off the remaining fuel so you can throw it away.

If you plan to burn off the remaining fuel or bleed it completely. Keeping lighters lit longer than a few seconds can cause the lighters to overheat! This can cause a risk of explosion. SO BE VERY CAREFUL!

If you can’t burn off the fuel in the lighter, you will need to take it to a hazardous waste collection point.

How To Find A Hazardous Waste Collection Point:

In the United States, you can use the site https://search.earth911.com/ to find hazardous waste points. There are search results for almost every zip code in the US!

In England or Wales, you can use the site https://www.gov.uk/hazardous-waste-disposal. I am not sure why, but this Government site doesn’t cover Scotland or Northern Ireland. For people in Canada, I was able to find some information, but it is only by province. Check with your local government to find out what you need to do.

Can You Recycle Lighters?

NO. Even though BIC and many common lighters are plastic, you can’t recycle them. The reason you can’t recycle them is because of the leftover lighter fluid inside.

Getting a refillable lighter is a way to go for people who don’t want to create more waste for the planet. Whether you find a refillable lighter on our site or not, we encourage you to get one!

Conclusion

Don’t just toss your cigar lighter—can you throw away lighters safely? Not without purging butane first! Try fixing it with our Torch Lighter Not Working guide, then purge and drop off at a hazardous waste facility or switch to refillable lighters for eco-friendly cigar sessions. Shop Amazon for sustainable lighters and butane to keep your 42-60 ring gauge cigars lit, and share your disposal tips in the comments below!

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment down below or shoot me a message on the contact page.