A prominent waste management company, Suez, has reported ongoing fire incidents linked to improperly disposed vapes, despite the ban on disposable vapes implemented in the UK on June 1. Since the ban, Suez has recorded 339 fires this year, averaging over one fire daily, posing dangers to workers and leading to substantial property damage.
Vapes are equipped with lithium batteries that can ignite if damaged or crushed in the waste stream. While the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) noted a reduction in vape sales by half since the ban, it emphasizes the necessity for enhanced consumer education regarding responsible disposal methods.
The ban aimed to reduce sales to minors as well as to address issues of littering and improper disposal. However, Suez’s chief sustainability officer, Adam Read, observed that vapes continue to be improperly discarded in various public spaces, undermining the intended effects of the ban. He characterized the initial prohibition as a short-term solution to the broader issue of vape disposal.
Suez and another waste company, Biffa, have expressed concerns that consumers are treating reusable vapes as single-use items, leading to incorrect disposal practices. Although some manufacturers have produced items resembling disposable vapes, their design permits legal sale as reusable devices. Illegal sales of single-use vapes continue, exacerbating waste problems. In response, the government is increasing enforcement efforts against retailers selling illegal vapes, including potential penalties.
In light of these challenges, Suez has called for a comprehensive plan to address the safety risks and environmental impacts linked to disposable vapes, including the establishment of a national recycling initiative financed by manufacturers. A recent initiative by Doncaster Council offers curbside collections specifically for vapes and batteries to facilitate responsible recycling. Meanwhile, a government spokesperson reiterated the commitment to enforcing the ban and supporting recycling efforts through the implementation of collection bins in retail locations across the UK.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62vk0p5dn5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss