UK to Consider New Regulations for Vape Disposal

Disposing of used vaping devices, especially disposable devices, has become a major issue. So much so that the UK is set to consider changes to ensure the vaping sector “plays its part” in financing the collection and treatment of vaping products as part of the upcoming review of the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations.

Fourteen million single-use vapes are bought each month and 1.3 million are thrown away every week, according to research from Material Focus, the not-for-profit organization funded by the WEEE compliance fee.

Last week, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published its response to its consultation on commonly littered single-use plastic items, which ran from November 2021 to February 2022, according to Let’s Recycle. Within its response, Defra noted it had not explored the issues around waste generated from disposable vapes.

Defra says it is reviewing the current producer responsibility systems for WEEE and batteries and plans to publish the much-delayed consultations on both areas “this year”, and in doing so will look at vaping products.

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), the trade body representing the UK’s vaping industry’s interests, says it is in discussions along with its member with several waste companies to create a recycling solution that is “fit for purpose for the vaping sector.”