Amy – a year 12 student and casual bartender – knows way too many people with dead vape stashes under their beds.

While the government is trying to crack down, it doesn't seem like there will be a solution anytime soon. And in the mean time, recycling trucks and apartments are catching alight with vape batteries gone wrong.

This week on Podcast Next Gen, Amy dives into the (un)recyclability of disposable vapes, what the new crackdown could mean, and potential solutions.

Podcast Next Gen is a collaboration between Cosmos Magazine and the National Youth Science Forum.

The reporters are year 12 students from across Australia, and also the next generation of scientists, science journalists and podcasters. These 'shortcast' episodes have been written and recorded by students, giving them the opportunity to work with real science journalists and editors to make their science concept come to life.