Mon, 08 Sep 2025

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 Vape ban isn't working, says waste firm boss

Millions of vapes are being thrown away incorrectly despite the ban, causing chaos, says Biffa manager.
The ban on disposable vapes has failed to reduce the number of devices being incorrectly thrown away, with an estimated 1 million devices being sent to general recycling every month. According to Roger Wright, strategy and packaging manager at Biffa, the waste management firm that handles almost a fifth of the UK's waste, the problem is worse than ever before. Wright attributes the issue to vape firms launching cheap reusable devices that are similar to disposable vapes, but sold as rechargeable products. He suspects many of these devices are still being thrown away, and that people are buying more disposable vapes instead of refilling and recycling them. The number of vapes being sent to general recycling has increased by 3% since the ban came into effect in June. In April and May, Biffa's recycling facilities saw an average of 200,000 vapes per month being incorrectly mixed with general recycling. Vapes contain lithium batteries that can catch fire when crushed, posing a significant risk to waste management workers. The ban was introduced to address the issue of vapes being thrown away incorrectly, but it appears to have had limited success. A spokesperson for the vape industry disputed Biffa's claims, suggesting that any increase in devices being sent to general recycling is due to black market trade. However, Wright argues that the vape industry's response to the ban has contributed to the problem, with many firms launching new products to try and get around the regulations. Wright suggests that one way to improve collection rates would be for councils to collect vapes and electrical devices directly from people's homes alongside general waste and recycling. This approach is already being implemented by some councils, and a government spokesperson said that it is part of its circular economy strategy to increase the reuse and recycling of electrical equipment. The ban on disposable vapes was introduced in June, but it appears to have had unintended consequences. The issue highlights the need for more effective regulations and education campaigns to prevent vapes being thrown away incorrectly.
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