Disposable Vapes: Millions Trashed, Few Recycled
In a concerning revelation, campaigners have disclosed that a staggering five million disposable vapes meet their demise in the trash each week. Shockingly, only one out of every six among the seven million vapes sold weekly undergoes proper recycling, according to data presented by Material Focus, a sustainability organization.
These discarded vaping devices are ending up in bins or simply being carelessly tossed away, posing not only a fire hazard but also posing harm to wildlife and the environment.
Material Focus, in light of these findings, argues that it’s high time for all retailers selling disposable vapes to adopt a responsible approach by accepting old devices when customers purchase new ones. Scott Butler, the organization’s director, emphasized the need for a substantial increase in easily accessible and visible drop-off points for vape recycling.
The current rate of five million discarded vapes per week is a fourfold increase compared to the 1.3 million reported last year. Alarming statistics reveal that three-quarters of vapers confess to neglecting the recycling of these plastic puffing devices, while one in three teenage vapers chooses to dispose of them in bins at their workplaces, schools, or colleges.
What makes the issue even more pressing is the fact that these devices contain batteries that can be toxic if not disposed of properly, and the financial burden of disposal falls on local councils.
In response to these concerns, the UK Vaping Industry Association asserts that it is actively engaged in educating customers about the importance of recycling, demonstrating a commitment to addressing this growing problem.