OPINION: The UK government’s decision to ban disposable vapes from June 2025 sends a strong signal that the government has recognised the significant environmental damage caused by these products. However, there is still an awful lot left to do to stop the “vapocalypse”.
With five million vapes binned or littered every week, the run up to June 2025 could see 150 million more vapes improperly discarded, creating a large amount of waste and losing valuable materials like lithium and copper.
A major issue posed by all types of vapes is the risk of fires from the lithium ion batteries that power them. As well as being hazardous, they are toxic due to the nicotine liquid.
Despite legal obligations, at least 90% of retailers were failing to meet their requirements for vape collection and recycling. We are redoing the research as I write. And whilst we believe more vape takeback options are belatedly available now, there is still nowhere near enough. It is as easy to buy a vape as it is to buy a bag of crisps or a chocolate bar. It should be as easy to recycle them.
Additionally, new vape products like rechargeable disposables and pod models are already on sale at similar prices to disposables and sit outside this ban. So will this disposable ban actually mean fewer vapes are sold?
One way to help tackle these challenges is for the government to establish a specialist vape category under waste regulations, which would allow for clear collection targets and ensure that the companies profiting from these products cover the costs of takeback and recycling.
Retailers, including supermarkets, convenience stores, newsagents and petrol stations, must stop ignoring their legal obligations and help reverse the throwaway culture fuelled by years of disposable vape marketing. A big chunk of the profits made are due to avoiding the costs of cleaning up the mess they make.
Producers and retailers must step up to meet their responsibilities both now and post-ban by ensuring that the environmental damage caused by vapes is mitigated as quickly as possible.
For those who vape, it’s crucial to never throw them in the bin. Your local vape store has a legal obligation to take them back for recycling. If that retailer refuses, go to the next one, or visit our Recycling Locator to find a local drop-off point. Let’s ensure we don’t lose valuable materials or put the environment and public safety at further risk.
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