Vaping started as a quiet habit for Cloud Cycle founder Breland Johnson — one that began in high school and slowly became a part of his daily life. Like many young people, the focus was on the moment, not the aftermath. But over time, he realized he was going through two to three disposable vapes every week, tossing them out without thinking about where they ended up or what they contained. What felt harmless on the surface was contributing to a much larger and invisible environmental problem.
As Breland became more aware of the environmental impact of disposable vapes — lithium-ion batteries, toxic metals, plastics that never decompose — he noticed something even more troubling: no one else seemed to know either. Vape shops, users, gas stations, lounges — millions of people were discarding vape devices with no system in place to handle them responsibly. The waste stream was growing rapidly, but the infrastructure to manage it simply didn’t exist. That realization became a turning point — both personally and professionally.
“I had to stop being part of the waste stream and start becoming part of the solution. Once I understood the impact, I couldn’t unsee it. If I was contributing to the problem for years without knowing it, how many others were doing the same — and how much environmental damage was piling up because nobody knew where these devices really go after the trash can?”
Breland Johnson
From that moment, Cloud Cycle was born — not as a business idea first, but as a personal responsibility that evolved into a statewide solution. What started with one person refusing to contribute to the problem became a growing movement for cleaner cities and safer recycling standards in Arizona.
What Cloud Cycle Solves
- Provides a safe, certified disposal route for vape devices and lithium-ion batteries
- Keeps hazardous materials out of landfills, waterways, and public trash systems
- Helps businesses comply with environmental regulations and avoid fines
- Educates consumers about the unseen impact of vape waste
- Turns sustainability into a practical, everyday action instead of a distant concept
Cloud Cycle exists because awareness leads to accountability — and accountability inspires innovation. What began with one person quitting a wasteful habit has become a model for responsible disposal in a fast-growing industry with no built-in recycling system. Today, Cloud Cycle empowers shops, customers, and communities to protect the environment through simple, accessible, and compliant vape waste recycling. The mission is bigger than collection bins — it’s about shifting culture, restoring responsibility, and proving that sustainability can start with one small decision that inspires many more.
