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.
What an idiotic (or very calculated) thing to target. You can buy ten 2mL vapes but you can’t have 20mL inside a single vape? I fail to see how this would alter anyone’s behavior as far as quitting nicotine goes and intentionally creates more waste. It’d be like legislating that you’re only allowed to sell cigarettes in a 3-pack. I say ‘calculated’ above because maybe this is the very situation they wanted to create so they could point to the mess and sway the public to look at vapers like disgusting pigs in order to pass even harsher laws.