Thirteen vapes are thrown away every second in the UK – more than a million a day – leading to an “environmental nightmare”, according to research.
There has also been a rise in “big puff” vapes which are bigger and can hold up to 6,000 puffs per vape, with single use vapes averaging 600. Three million of these larger vapes are being bought every week according to the research, commissioned by Material Focus, and conducted by Opinium. 8.2 million vapes are now thrown away or recycled incorrectly every week.
From June 2025 it will be illegal to sell single-use vapes, a move designed to combat environmental damage and their widespread use by children. Vapes will only be allowed to be sold if they are rechargeable or contain a refillable cartridge.
But all types of vape contain lithium-ion batteries which are dangerous if crushed or damaged because they can cause fires in bin lorries or waste and recycling centres. These fires are on the rise across the UK, with an increase last year of 71% compared with 2022.
They are refillable at least the lost mary bm6000 is (only one I’m familiar with), it’s actually pretty easy and gives you 10ml in a very small device a big advantage over normal vapes where in the UK the tank can only be 2ml.
They really need to either change that law (2ml is nothing) or start designing reusable vapes that attach the bottle in the same way so you don’t have to constantly refill.
To me the advantage is a small size and the 10ml container being cleverly attached to skirt a silly law.