Do Vapes Go to Landfill?

Understanding Retailer Obligations for Vape Recycling

The rapid rise in popularity of single-use vapes and low-cost vaping products has brought a new environmental concern: what happens to used vapes? As responsible consumers, it’s important to know how to dispose of and recycle vapes properly to lessen their impact on the environment.

Have you been throwing your used vapes into your household recycling bin, thinking it's the right thing to do? Or maybe you have them gathering dust in a drawer, unsure of what to do with them.

In this article, we’ll look at what retailers must do for vape recycling and how you can dispose of your used vapes responsibly.

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The Environmental Impact of Improper Vape Disposal

When vapes are thrown away with regular rubbish, they often end up in landfill sites. It’s estimated that millions of disposable vapes are discarded improperly each year. Up to 5 million single-use vapes are thrown away each week in the UK alone, adding to the mounting e-waste problem.

Improper disposal of vapes is not just an environmental issue but also a waste of valuable resources. Each vape contains materials that can be recycled and reused, such as lithium from batteries and plastics. Failing to recycle these materials means more raw resources must be extracted and processed, contributing further to environmental degradation.

Retailer Obligations for Vape Recycling

Retailers play an important role in the recycling process of vapes. We have a responsibility to provide accessible and effective recycling schemes to ensure that vapes do not end up in landfills.

By partnering with specialised waste management companies, retailers can offer consumers convenient ways to recycle their used vapes responsibly.

Current Legal Requirements for Retailers in the UK

In the UK, retailers are legally required to comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. These regulations mandate that retailers must:

Provide take-back services

Retailers selling electronic devices, including vapes, must offer a free take-back service for old devices when a consumer purchases a new one of the same type. This ensures that consumers have a convenient option for disposing of their used vapes.

Inform Consumers: Retailers are required to inform consumers about their take-back services. This can be done through in-store signage, online information, and customer receipts.

Partner with authorised recyclers

Retailers must ensure that the collected vapes are sent to authorised treatment facilities where they are properly dismantled and recycled. This prevents harmful components from entering the environment.

Inform consumers

Retailers are required to inform consumers about their take-back services. This can be done through in-store signage, online information, and customer receipts.

Specific Requirements Based on Company Size and Sales Volume

Under the WEEE Regulations, the obligations for recycling vary depending on the size of the company and the number of electrical products sold. Specifically:

Large retailers

Any retailer with a retail space exceeding 400 square metres (approximately 4,300 square feet) that sells electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is required to provide facilities for consumers to return their waste EEE free of charge.

Small retailers

Smaller retailers must either offer a similar take-back scheme or participate in a collective scheme that provides an alternative method for consumers to recycle their used electronics.

These requirements ensure that both large and small retailers contribute to the responsible disposal and recycling of electronic waste, including vaping products.

Totally Wicked Partners and What They Are Doing About Vape Recycling

Totally Wicked’s nationwide scheme

At Totally Wicked, we proactively introduced a recycling scheme across all our stores in 2022. This nationwide initiative makes it easy for customers to dispose of their used vapes in an environmentally friendly way.

Since the launch of our program, we have achieved significant milestones. With over 23.5 tonnes of vapes collected through 917 collections to date, our efforts are making a tangible impact. Each year, we collect approximately 14 tonnes of vapes, which translates to over 400,000 disposable vapes being responsibly recycled. While the majority of our collections consist of disposable vapes, we also manage a considerable number of refillable vapes, ensuring they are processed with the same level of care.

By partnering with waste management experts Veolia, we ensure that every usable component of the vapes is recycled appropriately, from the batteries to the plastic or metal casing.

Henderson Group partner with GAP Waste Management

At Totally Wicked, we are proud to supply the Henderson Group, which operates 107 SPAR and EUROSPAR stores in Northern Ireland. Recognising their significant role in the community, the Henderson Group has taken a proactive approach to vape recycling by collaborating with GAP Waste Management.

This scheme ensures that vapes collected from their stores are properly recycled, preventing harmful materials from polluting the environment. GAP Waste Management specialises in handling electronic waste, ensuring that all components of the vapes are processed safely and sustainably.

Co-op collaborate with Veolia

We are also pleased to supply the Co-op, which has teamed up with Veolia, a global leader in resource management. This partnership aims to provide a comprehensive recycling solution for vapes.

Veolia’s expertise in waste management ensures that vapes collected from Co-op stores are dismantled and recycled efficiently, with minimal environmental impact. Consumers can drop off their used vapes at participating Co-op stores, knowing they will be handled responsibly.

St Helens introduce vape recycling bins at the Totally Wicked Stadium

In an innovative move, St Helens Rugby League Club, St Helens R.F.C, has partnered with St Helens Council and the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Strategic Waste Partnership to offer a vape disposal service on matchdays.

Since 5^th July the Club has provided a brand-new matchday vape disposal service with specialist vape disposal bins situated in each stand of the Totally Wicked Stadium.

These bins are visibly marked and allow fans to safely dispose of any type of disposable vape or vape battery in a responsible and environmentally friendly way. Provided by Veolia on behalf of St Helens Borough Council and the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Strategic Waste Partnership, this service further reaffirms the Club's commitment to facilitating and advocating for responsible vaping and disposal.

How You Can Make a Difference

As a vape consumer, you have the power to make a positive impact on the environment.

Reduce Vaping’s Environmental Impact

Vapes do not have to end up in landfills. With the growing awareness of environmental issues and the proactive steps taken by retailers, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of vaping.

By participating in retailer recycling schemes and making informed choices, you can contribute to a healthier planet. Join us as we make sure our vapes are recycled responsibly, protecting our environment for future generations.