The UK Vaping Industry Association is calling for greater environmental enforcement and education following new research from Material Focus which found ‘8.2 million vapes are now thrown away every week or recycled incorrectly’.
Other findings from the analysis include:
- More people are recycling their single-use vapes in store (20% this year compared to 8% last year)
- 77% of UK vapers feel there is not enough information on how to recycle vapes
- 3.3. million vapes per month are stashed in cupboards and drawers across the UK
In response to the research, UKVIA Director General John Dunne said: “The biggest positive change we can make is in consumer behaviour. Recycling rates in the UK are low and have consistently failed to meet targets – unfortunately, vape recycling is no exception.
“All e-cigarettes should be recycled regardless of whether they are disposable or not. Up to 80% of materials in vapes is recyclable and much of the rest is recoverable – very little needs to go to landfill.
“Changing consumer behaviour for the better would be difficult under the current system, however, serious consumer knowledge and attitude barriers combined with the lack of the infrastructure needed to facilitate recycling, has led to the situation we are in now.
“Dealing with waste of any kind needs a joined-up plan of action involving industry, regulators, local authorities, hospitality sector, waste management providers and consumer groups so that there is the vape waste infrastructure in place to provide consumers with easy access to recycling facilities at both point of sell and point of use.
“We know there is non-compliance when it comes to environmental regulations, and we want to see strong enforcement to ensure best practice, however, a recent Freedom of Information investigation by the UKVIA revealed that the Office for Product Safety & Standards – responsible for environmental regulations relating to retail stores selling vapes – did not hold information on the number of specialist and non-specialist vape businesses who have been fined or prosecuted for failing to meet their obligations.
“We want to see the vaping industry’s environmental responsibilities included in a new licensing scheme and for the health regulator to block products that are not environmentally compliant from making it to the market.”
Read the full Material Focus story here