More than a million vapes a day in UK thrown away, says research
More than a million vapes a day in UK thrown away, says research
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From June 2025 it will be illegal to sell single-use vapes to combat environmental damage. Thirteen vapes are thrown away every second in the UK – more than a million a day – leading to an “environmental nightmare”, according to research. There has also been a rise in “big puff” vapes which are bigger and can hold up to 6,000 puffs per vape, with single use vapes averaging 600. Three million of these larger vapes are being bought every week according to the research, commissioned by Material Focus, and conducted by Opinium. 8.2 million vapes are now thrown away or recycled incorrectly every week.
From June 2025 it will be illegal to sell single-use vapes, a move designed to combat environmental damage and their widespread use by children. Vapes will only be allowed to be sold if they are rechargeable or contain a refillable cartridge. But all types of vape contain lithium-ion batteries which are dangerous if crushed or damaged because they can cause fires in bin lorries or waste and recycling centres. These fires are on the rise across the UK, with an increase last year of 71% compared with 2022.
They are also considered by environmentalists to be wasteful and damaging to the ecosystem because they contain valuable and critical materials such as lithium and copper, which end up in the bin. Material Focus has calculated that the number of vapes thrown away per annum could instead be powering 10,127 electric vehicles. Vapes are also toxic to wildlife if littered, which they often are.
