I got into conversation with someone last week who was complaining that his local hospital will only allow rechargeable vapes on the premises. While I didn’t give it much thought at the time, I’ve since come across research on single-use vapes which made me realise that the hospital has it right. The research, organised by not-for-profit organisation, Material Focus, (whose goal it is to stop us throwing away or hoarding all our old small electricals) says that the number of disposable single-use vapes thrown away in the UK alone has soared from 1.3 million, to nearly five million per week. This is equivalent to eight vapes being thrown away per second - almost four times the number since the research was first conducted last year! The potential yearly cost of collecting and recycling these vapes according to the research, now stands at £200 million - which currently isn't being paid for by vape producers, importers and retailers. 

 

UK adults report buying over 360 million single-use vapes per annum, containing valuable and critical materials such as lithium and copper that are regularly being binned and which could instead be powering nearly 5,000 electric vehicles. They are toxic and damaging to the environment and wildlife, if littered. The number of battery-related waste fires continues to rise, some of which are considered to have been sparked by vapes being thrown away instead of being recycled. Last year Material Focus conducted research which identified that 700 fires are caused in the waste stream by batteries hidden inside electricals such as vapes! 

  

Apparently few producers and retailers comply with environmental regulations and most haven't put recycling points and systems in place, which means local authorities are being burdened with the major operational and financial headaches associated with what could now be considered the fastest growing and most dangerous waste stream there is. I agree with Material Focus that we need rapid growth in the number of accessible and visible vape recycling drop-off points in stores, parks, public spaces near offices, bars and pubs, and in schools, colleges and universities, along with proper financing of genuine recycling solutions to recover materials and manage fire risks. This includes immediate and significant vape industry voluntary action in advance of planned regulatory changes already earmarked by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. With 75% of vapers thinking that producers and retailers should provide more information which states that vapes can be recycled, it makes sense that the word ‘disposable’ should no longer be used in any marketing and promotion! 

  

While this is a UK study, if you’re one of our many thousands of overseas readers, I’d be interested in learning if this is a problem in your neck of the woods too and how you plan on tackling it please…