The director of group dedicated to tackling the UK’s electrical waste problem is sceptical on what impact the ban on single-use vapes will have.
The ban, which comes into effect on 1 June, is aimed at halting an estimated 8.2 million vapes being thrown away or improperly recycled each week in the UK, contributing to the world’s fastest-growing waste stream.
Incorrectly disposed vapes can start fires, release toxic substances like battery acid and lead into water and soil, and waste valuable materials such as copper and lithium, yet Material Focus executive director Scott Butler is not convinced the ban is enough address these issues.
Butler said: “I’m not expecting much change.
“I think it sends a strong signal and it’s taking the most environmentally, wasteful, and damaging types of waste off the market.
“It is a good thing, but it’s just one leg of a long journey that we’re going to have with this product.”
Concerns remain vape producers may attempt to by the ban with new designs which meet the letter of the law but are not fully reusable.
To qualify as reusable, a vape must have a rechargeable battery, a replaceable coil and be refillable.
However, there is no legal requirement for retailers to sell replacement parts.
Butler said: “We’re seeing new models that are legal under the new definition that look almost identical to the ones that they’re replacing.
“You could have a scenario where you sell legal vapes, but with no ability to buy any of the parts that make them refillable and rechargeable.”
Beyond design loopholes, some concern remains over the adequacy of current Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations and their enforcement.
Any company which produces a significant number of electrical items is required to , report their sales, and finance the cost of their product being recycled.
Although some vape retailers and producers meet their environmental obligations, many are accused of free-riding, which is bringing products to market without complying with regulations.
This effectively transforms avoided fines, plus waste disposal and recycling costs, into profit for producers and retailers.
For example, from April 2024, vape retailers must offer take-back schemes for used vapes, and non-compliance risks prosecution and unlimited fines.
However, only 11% of retailers met these requirements under WEEE regulations, according to research from Material Focus conducted in 2024.
Enforcement is carried out by multiple agencies including the Environment Agency and Trading Standards, but the unique pervasiveness of disposable vapes makes it difficult.
Butler said: “It’s as easy to buy a vape as it is to buy a bag of crisps or a can of coke.
“It’s incredibly challenging to have that many people on the ground, so it’s up to those selling vapes, trade associations, and retailer associations to really make sure that their are fully aware and on board.”
Most waste electrical legislation was designed for large household items like washing machines, microwaves, and televisions.
As a result, it has taken time for legislation to catch up and address smaller, short-life items such as disposable vapes.
All waste electrical equipment must be reported under one of 14 categories, with vapes currently under category seven.
This covers toys, leisure, and sports equipment, but fails to represent the true cost of recycling vaping products.
While other items in category seven cost between £35 and £270 per tonne to recycle, vapes can cost £13,000 and £20,000 per tonne, according to industry estimates, due to the complex mix of materials they contain.
A review of WEEE regulations, proposed by The Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), will create a dedicated category for vapes to improve tracking and ability, and is expected to be implemented later this year.
Other incoming legislation, such as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aims to curb the rising consumption of vapes, which has increased rapidly year on year since their introduction to the UK market.
Material Focus will assess the impact of the single-use vape ban later this year, and although the picture may look bleak, there are reasons to remain optimistic.
Vapes should not be thrown in general bins, recycling bins or recycled with regular batteries, but should be recycled as electronic waste at vape stores, supermarkets, and designated recycling points.
To find a nearby electrical waste drop-off point, please visit the Recycle Your Electricals website.
Feature image: Image by atlascompany on Freepik
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