Stores should offer more vape disposal points, say campaigners

Material Focus says the number of single-use vapes thrown away has quadrupled since last year, an increase that underlines the importance of retailers encouraging the use of recycling points for vapes.

Vapes contain lithium and copper, both of which could be recycled. Among the uses of both elements is the powering of electric vehicles.

Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, said: “Since we last published our research, the problem with single-use vapes has gotten further out of control. Single-use vapes are a strong contender for being the most environmentally wasteful, damaging and dangerous consumer product ever made.
“And still very few producers and retailers comply with environmental regulations and have put recycling drop-off points and systems in place.”

Butler added that calling vapes “disposable” was unhelpful and that marketing should make clear they can be recycled.

The research from Material Focus found 54% of vapers said they would be more likely to recycle single-use vapes if there were recycling points in-store.

Nearly three quarters of vapers (70%) said they threw vapes away because they didn’t know they could recycle them.

Material Focus haa produced a briefing note for retailers and producers on how they can comply with environmental regulations for vapes.