Vape waste is skyrocketing across the UK, fueled by the surge of disposable vapes as manufacturers pivot to new models to sidestep upcoming environmental regulations. With the UK set to ban single-use vapes starting June 2025, experts and campaigners are ringing alarm bells over the repercussions of ‘big puff’ vapes dominating the market. According to research conducted by Opinium for campaign group Material Focus, approximately 8.2 million vaping devices are discarded weekly—equivalent to 13 vapes being thrown away every second.
This latest trend is spurred by ‘big puff’ vapes, which can deliver up to 6,000 puffs compared to only 600 from traditional single-use varieties. These vapes, which are also significantly more cost-effective—averaging 0.19p per puff compared to 0.83p for single-use vapes—are appealing primarily to younger demographics. The research indicated nearly half of all 16 to 34-year-olds purchased these larger devices, raising concerns about improper disposal practices.
Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, emphasized the need for immediate action as he expressed concern over the creativity of vape producers to circumvent the forthcoming regulations. Butler stated, "Vape producers are being infinitely creative with their products to avoid the forthcoming disposable vape ban," highlighting the challenges regulatory bodies face as these new products gain market traction. The surge has also caught the attention of Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh, who commented, "Single-use vapes are extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities," pledging to uphold the ban.
The increase of disposable vapes has been troubling, especially as it escalates alongside growing lithium-ion battery disposals and their associated dangers. The number of battery fires linked to vaping products has increased by 71%, with more than 1,200 incidents reported last year alone. Experts warn these fires not only pose risks to waste management workers, but they also contribute to air pollution and can endanger local wildlife.
While Material Focus acknowledges the recycling rate of vapes has seen improvements—20% of respondents reported recycling single-use vapes compared to just 8% last year—there exists confusion among vapers. A staggering 77% admitted they did not know how to recycle their devices. Butler urged manufacturers to make the recycling process as straightforward as acquiring vapes. "It should be as easy to recycle a vape as it is to buy one," he remarked.
Community initiatives have started sprouting across shops, with several major retailers like Sainsbury’s and Waitrose implementing vapour recycling schemes. Nevertheless, there is considerable pressure for more expansive recycling facilities, particularly through accessible drop-off points within neighborhoods and schools as well as public amenities. Material Focus is advocating for stronger recycling facilities, with calls for government-supported initiatives to strengthen producer responsibility.
Importantly, as disposable products become less permissible under UK law, experts warn about the possibility of these alternatives still being marketed as disposable. For example, popular online retailers have begun to label certain reusable products inconsistently, defying the very purpose of the pending regulations. This inconsistency enforced by manufacturers could sustain the very waste levels officials attempt to curtail.
Highlighting the problematic nature of these consumables, Butler remarked, "It’s not just fires; vapes are among the most environmentally wasteful, damaging and dangerous consumer products ever made." These devices are manufactured using valuable resources like lithium and copper, which could otherwise be redirected to sustainable technologies. According to the organization, lithium thrown away each year could power 10,127 electric car batteries, illustrating the depth of material waste incurred through disposal.
Vape makers are encouraged to develop products with longer lifespans and recyclable components, yet transition remains slow as strong consumer habits are built around single-use simplicity. Jan Vlak from the electrical goods sector umbrella organization Open echoes concerns over the safety risks created by improperly discarded vaping devices, stating, "We get more reports of fires caused by the batteries in vapes among rubbish collection vehicles and recycling plants." Vlak called on the government to implement a deposit system for vapes to curb the rate of disposable devices ending up as household waste.
The government's response has included plans to necessitate vape producers to create waste management solutions. They will be charged for their part in the recycling efforts aimed at curbing e-waste. The proposed solution reflects concerns about the growing popularity of vaping products—particularly among minors—as MP Mpanzu Bamenga suggested just last week. His emphasis was clear: "Vaping is becoming more popular every year, especially among children. It is not only dangerous for them but also for workers who are exposed to exploding vapes, and that's unacceptable."
While the impending legislation seeks to tackle the waste crisis associated with vaping, the reality is more complex than simply banning disposable devices. The continued emergence of ‘big puff’ vapes highlights the need for flexible, scalable solutions to address the broader issues of vaping waste and successively benefit environmental sustainability.
