Disposable vapes are flooding our waste and recycling streams fueling a new kind of fire risk for facilities across the globe.  The “Vape Effect” is a real phenomenon causing a 20%+ increase in publicly reported fire incidents in the US and Canada since 2022-2025 over the previous six-year period.   This session dives into how the growing vape crisis is impacting safety, operations, and recovery efforts — and how smart monitoring, extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies, pilot programs, and partnerships can help mitigate these hazards on the frontlines. Attendees will explore the data, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies to safely manage vapes before they spark the next major or catastrophic blaze.

About the Speakers

Ryan Fogelman
Fire Rover | Fire Protection Consultant

Ryan Fogelman, JD/MBA, is a fire protection consultant with Fire Rover, known for his expertise in bringing innovative safety solutions to market. His products have been recognized with two Edison Innovation Awards for Industrial Safety and Consumer Products. Since February 2016, he has focused on compiling and publishing reports on fires at waste and recycling facilities in the US and Canada, analyzing their impacts, solutions, and consequences. His latest report is titled "We Are at War: The 8th Annual Waste & Recycling Facility Fires Report in the US & CAN." Fogelman is a frequent speaker on fire safety within the waste and recycling industries, emphasizing early detection, fire planning, and risk mitigation strategies. He has been a member of the NFPA 401 hazardous materials committee since 2019 and contributed to the NFPA18(a) special task force for wetting agents in 2025. His contributions to the field have earned him recognition as one of the "Top Fire Influencers" by the Fire and Safety Journal Americas in 2025 and 2026. For more information or to connect with Ryan Fogelman, you can visit his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjayfogelman or reach out to him via email at rfogelman@firerover.com.

Hanz Atia
Senior Associate, Policy & Programs | Product Stewardship Institute (PSI)

Hanz Atia, MPH, is a Senior Associate for Policy and Programs at the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI). Hanz conducts research, creates educational materials and campaigns, and implement infrastructure development initiatives to advance product stewardship for e-cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, medical sharps, batteries, and tires. Hanz brings expertise in public health policy, data analysis, and ArcGIS mapping to their work at PSI. Utilizing GIS tools, Hanz has conducted in-depth assessments of collection infrastructure for paint, pharmaceuticals, and medical sharps across multiple states to illustrate deficiencies in existing programs, inform collection site expansion initiatives, and increase convenient take-back and recycling options across communities. With interdisciplinary expertise and dedication to improving community health and environmental sustainability, Hanz seeks to address complex health challenges and promote a healthier, greener future.