Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, looks at the recycling challenge the surge in disposable vapes poses for local authorities.
As the popularity of disposable vapes has surged, so too has the environmental impact they leave in their wake. The UK now sees a staggering 360 million single-use vapes sold annually, with at least five million of these being binned or littered every week. Local authorities are facing mounting pressure as these devices contribute to waste, pose a fire hazard, and result in the loss of valuable resources like lithium and copper, critical to our green technology future.
Despite media and political attention, compliance with environmental regulations by vape producers and retailers remains alarmingly low. Our research at Material Focus reveals that over 90% of producers and retailers are failing to meet their legal obligations to provide and fund recycling for disposable vapes. Without urgent action, a quarter of a billion single-use vapes could be discarded before any potential ban takes effect.
This crisis has real-world local authority consequences. In Wrexham, seven fires broke out at a council tip in just two weeks, caused by the lithium-ion batteries inside discarded vapes. These incidents endanger public safety and our research with Imperial College has shown that pollution from these waste fires breaks World Health Organisation (WHO) limits, affecting the health of local communities. They also highlight the lack of proper disposal and recycling measures for these hazardous devices. Local authorities are now urging residents not to bin their vapes at home but to take them to designated recycling drop-off points.
A lack of takeback points and retailer responsibility
While some specialist vape retailers offer drop-off points for recycling, the overall availability remains woefully insufficient. Our research found that only 33% of 57 specialist vape retailers provided drop-off points, and high street brands and convenience stores largely failed to offer any recycling options. This breaches their legal responsibilities, yet many continue to profit from these devices without covering disposal costs.
Recycling disposable vapes in the UK could cost £200m annually if done correctly, a burden that vape producers, importers, and retailers are obligated to cover. Most are shirking this responsibility, leaving local authorities to deal with the fallout. With no clear action from Westminster, devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are taking steps towards a ban on disposable vapes, with April 2025 as a tentative deadline.
The broader environmental impact
The environmental harm caused by disposable vapes extends beyond the immediate waste problem. Wildlife, land, and waterways are being polluted by the toxic materials inside these devices, and the loss of valuable resources like lithium and copper is particularly troubling. The lithium in disposable vapes’ batteries binned yearly could power over 5,000 electric vehicles. Instead, these critical materials are discarded, adding to the environmental strain.
Battery fires are another pressing issue. Research shows that vapes and other electrical items like batteries and cables cause an increasing number of fires at waste centres and waste recycling trucks. Improper disposal of these devices puts householders, workers, and wildlife at risk.
A call for urgent action
The rise of disposable vapes presents a serious challenge to local authorities. While a ban sends a strong signal, it won’t solve the immediate issues or the challenges that remain post-ban, such as new products and a potential surge in illegal products.
Producers, importers, and retailers must start taking responsibility now, offering take back points and financing recycling efforts as required by law.
Additionally, a new specialist vape category under waste regulations could set clear collection targets and enforce producer responsibility more effectively. Major retailers, many of which have jumped on the profitable vape bandwagon, must still be held accountable and offer takeback solutions. Failing to do so undermines their environmental commitments and prolongs the damage caused by these devices.
Local authorities can access helpful resources, including communications materials, via our communications assets page, designed to support public engagement on vape recycling. For a more detailed look at the responsibilities of retailers and producers, see our industry briefing paper.
It’s vital to remember the role we all play in tackling this crisis. Anything with a plug, battery, or cable can be repaired, reused, or recycled. Vapes should never be binned or littered—they belong at designated recycling points. The future of our environment depends on how we handle these issues now, not just with vapes but with all electronic waste.
Local authorities are at the forefront of this fight but cannot do it alone. We need a concerted effort from vape producers, importers, and retailers to prevent further harm to the environment and public.
