A new study by Material Focus highlights a concerning trend: over 90% of UK vape retailers and producers are still failing to adhere to environmental regulations ahead of the proposed 2025 ban. Material Focus warns that if the ban, announced on 29 January 2024, comes into effect with a 12-month lead time, at least a quarter of a billion single-use vapes could be discarded improperly.
The non-profit organisation has called for immediate action, pointing out that many retailers and producers are neglecting their legal obligations to cover the costs of vape collection and recycling.
Research Findings
Material Focus’s research surveyed 764 retailers across 13 UK cities, including high street brands, convenience stores, and specialist vape shops. Despite legal requirements in place since 1 January 2021, only 11% of these retailers provided recycling points. Vape drop-off points were available in 33% of 57 specialist vape stores surveyed. High street brands, however, were found to offer very few or no recycling options.
Analysis of Producers
An analysis of records from over 165 major UK vape and vape juice producers revealed that only 15 had registered to comply with environmental regulations related to waste electricals, portable batteries, and packaging. These companies are members of industry associations like the UKVIA or IBVTA and have registered their products with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Material Focus estimates that recycling all 360 million disposable vapes sold annually in the UK could cost up to £200 million per year.
Retailer Responsibilities
Retailers also bear the responsibility of making recycling accessible for customers by providing drop-off points in their stores. This issue is not limited to specialist vape shops; high street supermarkets, newsagents, petrol stations, and convenience stores are also profiting from the sale of disposable vapes, contributing to significant environmental damage and public health risks.
Call to Action
Material Focus expresses shock at the lack of progress over the past year. Despite booming sales and profits, the environmental impact and costs of collecting and recycling waste vapes have been largely ignored.
With the upcoming ban on single-use vapes set for 2025, it is crucial that the millions of vapes likely to be discarded are instead collected and recycled. Establishing an effective and accessible recycling system for new vape products, including emerging pod variants, is essential to mitigate environmental harm.
