Disposable vapes are set to be banned by June 2025 in England and Scotland. Disposable vapes are relatively cheap AND ‘disposable’ and you may have seen them as litter on the ground. These gadgets are quite high-tech electronic devices that also contain precious metals. According to someone who has used them, they last ‘perhaps two or three nights out’. They are likely to run out whilst the user is out and about and end up discarded on the ground or in general rubbish bins.
According to ‘Talking Rubbish’ podcast, this is not a good idea – disposable vapes should be dropped off at a ‘take-back’ centre.
Put in your postcode and it will identify where are the nearest collection points.
The manufacturers of disposable vapes are for now (until June 2025) legally required to provide the recycling bins, and the nearest point to CR4 1LT seems to be at B&Q in Valley Park which is arguably not that convenient, and makes it sound as if it’s best not to buy them in the first place.
They contain lithium, which used to be much more expensive, and copper – both of which could and should be recycled. The also contain plastic, lead and mercury – all of which can leak into the environment with hazardous consequences. When crushed, Lithium can spontaneously combust – this is why it is known as a fire hazard, and why vapes should be disposed of in the special ‘take back bins’.
According to research (from ‘Talking Rubbish’ podcast) many people who have never smoked are now using vapes. Vapes are tobacco products and so it is illegal to sell to anyone who is under 18 years of age, but on the other hand their packaging is colourful and attractive and they can be flavoured like sweets so they are obviously attractive to young people. According to ‘Talking Rubbish’, 17% of Under 18-year olds have tried a vape. Enforcement works when council Trading Standards are able to prioritise it, but these teams can be overstretched at times.
If you were wondering why we should bother recycling lithium, have a look at this DEFRA statistic: in 2022, it is estimated that 40 tonnes of lithium were discarded in disposable vapes and this quantity could have powered 5,000 electric vehicles.
The views expressed in this article are those of the Post author.
