Disposable vapes have become increasingly
popular in recent years, offering a convenient alternative to traditional
cigarettes. However, the environmental impact of these devices is often overlooked.
Why are disposable vapes
harmful for the environment?
Disposable vapes are made up of various
components, including a battery, a heating element, and a cartridge containing
e-liquid. The battery and heating element are typically made of
non-biodegradable materials such as plastic and metal, while the cartridge
often contains harmful chemicals and heavy metals. When these devices are
improperly disposed of, they end up in landfills where they can leak toxic
substances into the soil and water, posing a threat to ecosystems and human
health.
Moreover,
the improper disposal of disposable vapes leads to the loss of valuable
resources. These devices contain a battery which is made from lithium, a
precious metal, which is already facing global shortages. Over 40 tonnes of
lithium was thrown out with disposable vapes in the UK in 2022. That’s enough to make batteries
for 5,000 electric cars!
A total of 7.7 million disposable vapes are
being purchased every week in the UK. It's estimated that 5 million are not
disposed of correctly - that’s 8 vapes per second getting to the wrong disposal
streams and creating an increased fire risk across our industry.
We have even found them in mixed waste and confidential waste, which can also be a huge fire risk!
Can disposable vapes be
recycled?
As previously mentioned, disposable vapes
are made up of various components which makes recycling them a challenge. They
are designed as one unit and so separating and recycling these materials requires specialised equipment
and processes, which is not readily available.
One of the most concerning aspects of this
issue is that manufacturers have made little effort to enable the recycling of
their products. While there are some recycling programs for traditional
e-cigarettes, disposable vapes often escape these initiatives. Smaller vape
manufacturers and distributors, in particular, are notorious for not complying
with legal obligations to fund recycling efforts.
What’s the solution?
The UK government announced a ban on single-use vapes earlier this year, which is set to come into force on 1 April 2025. In the meantime, if you do use disposable vapes then it is important to look into local initiatives to see if you can take these vapes to be recycled. The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), 60% of local authorities said they offer vape waste disposal at civic amenity sites or designated collection facilities, and one in ten have introduced vape waste containers in public places.
For reliable and environmentally friendly shredding, archiving and recycling services please contact the team at Russell Richardson on 0800 294 6552 or email info@russellrichardson.co.uk