Disposable vapes will be banned in the UK as part of ambitious Government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping and protect children’s health. New powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops so they don’t appeal to children will come in to force in the near future with a total ban planned for the end of 2025.

The announcement of a ban on disposable vapes is great news for the environment as surveys show that disposable vapes litter has doubled in the past 2 years alone these single-use items pose a significant risk to the environment, and they are significantly polluting our streets, parks and beaches. An estimated 260 million vapes are thrown away in this country every year, consuming precious resources, including lithium. Millions of disposables vape are thrown in general waste bins where they regularly cause fires in recycling and waste vehicles as well as at treatment facilities in the UK.  

What is the environmental impact of a vape?

Electronic waste: Disposable vapes are single-use items which means they end up in the landfill after use. Each vape contains a tiny button battery which creates a significant amount of electronic waste which is harmful to the environment and the materials used in vape devices, such as plastics, and metals which can take hundreds of years to decompose. 

Plastic pollution: Disposable vapes are often made of plastic, which is a major contributor to plastic pollution. Plastics do not biodegrade and can take up to 1000 years to decompose and as a result, disposable vape devices contribute to the accumulation of plastic waste in oceans and landfills, which is harmful to wildlife and ecosystems. 

Chemicals: Disposable vapes often contain harmful chemicals, such as nicotine, propylene glycol, and other additives. When these devices are disposed of in landfills, these chemicals can leach into the soil and groundwater, causing harm to the environment. 

Carbon footprint: The production and transportation of disposable vape devices contribute to carbon emissions, which is harmful to the environment. The materials used to produce these devices, such as plastics and metals, require a significant amount of energy to produce and transport, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. 

Greenzone offer a vape collection service providing safe recovery and recycling routes for disposable vapes, enquire now > Sales@greenzoneuk.com