Retailer take-back schemes must expand for post-ban vapes

Material Focus has warned that the new disposable vape ban, set to come into effect on 1 June, will not be enough to prevent the environmental damages caused by the devices.

Without specific retailer take-back schemes for new vape products, the charity forecasts that “big puff” and pod-based models designed to circumvent new regulations could replicate the disposal problems of banned single-use vapes.

The organisation’s analysis reveals that three million big puff vapes are now purchased weekly, compared to 5.3 million single-use vapes. Many replacement products maintain similar appearance, pricing and marketing as disposable models, potentially encouraging identical disposal behaviour among users, Material Focus warns.

Scale of the vape waste challenge

Since Material Focus began monitoring the market in 2022, consumers have purchased 1.2 billion disposable-style vapes, with 754 million subsequently thrown away rather than recycled.

In 2024, the non-profit found that of the 13.5 million vapes bought per week, 8.2 million were binned or wrongly recycled.

The environmental impact extends beyond resource waste. Material Focus research identified that battery fires in the waste stream increased by 71 per cent from 700 incidents in 2022 to over 1,200 in 2024, with vapes contributing significantly to this rise.

A recent statement issued by a coalition of waste management trade unions have urged greater action on this issue, identifying the improper disposal of batteries from items such as vapes as one of the main causes of the recent increase in recycling facility fires.

Scott Butler, Executive Director at Material Focus, described vapes as "a strong contender for being one of the most environmentally wasteful, damaging and dangerous consumer products ever made." The devices contain valuable materials including lithium and copper that are regularly discarded, while improper disposal creates fire risks and environmental contamination.

Despite containing 80 per cent recyclable materials, most vapes continue to enter general waste streams. Butler noted: "The majority of vapers are either unaware of where to recycle their vapes or don't have a good experience of recycling them. It should be as easy to recycle a vape as it is to buy one."

Could take-back schemes for vapes be the solution?

Material Focus has outlined comprehensive measures to address the ongoing vape waste challenges. The organisation calls for immediate industry action on accessible take-back schemes, alongside major communications campaigns to raise public awareness of recycling options.

The charity recommends mandatory in-store take-back as part of proposed licensing systems for vape retailers, despite existing legal obligations. Additional proposals include installing recycling points in parks, public spaces, schools, colleges and universities.

Butler emphasised the need for expanded infrastructure: "We need rapid growth in the number of accessible and visible vape recycling drop-off points. And we need proper retailer and producer financing of genuine recycling solutions to recover materials and manage fire risks."

Material Focus also advocates for enhanced product labelling and packaging information about recycling options, coupled with prominent in-store displays promoting takeback schemes.

Butler concluded: "We want more vapers demanding that where they buy them provide recycling points. It is a legal obligation for all those who sell vapes to provide this after all."