More than a million vapes a day in UK thrown away, says research | From June 2025 it will be illegal to sell single-use vapes to combat environmental damage
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/16/more-than-a-million-vapes-a-day-in-uk-thrown-away-says-research
9 Comments
From the article: 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.
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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.
If they aren’t already recycling the air we breathe, at least make the vapes reusable.
As a society in the UK, smoking was being phased out successfully. I cannot believe, we as a society, have let vaping take its place and are making the same mistakes again.
The quicker this blight is stamped down on hard, the better imo. It needs to have the same restrictions as smoking like “no vaping in public places” with severe fines for establishments that let it happen.
I was showing my friend how they make disposable vapes with built in game’s like brick break and Pac-Man. The whole vape only costs $10… and meant to be tossed.
Interesting how we’re banning single-use vapes while companies like Juul are developing blockchain-tracked recycling programs in other countries. UK might be missing an innovation opportunity here.
Single use tapes should never have been legal in the first place, but credit where it’s due I guess?
Good. Just another example of incompetent, out of touch leadership that these things were able to take off in such a big way in the first place
Cigarette butts are consistently the most common litter item. Cigarettes are also more harmful to people.
If governments actually gave a shit about pollution they’d ban cigarettes, instead of constantly targeting smoking alternatives.
Good. It was always a huge waste, and honestly nobody looses anything by buying reusable vapes.
Same ban should apply to single use power banks.