Waste management company Biffa has warned that many people are unaware that disposable vapes cannot be thrown into household rubbish, risking immediate fines of up to £600 and endangering workers. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Carla Brian from Biffa revealed that despite a ban introduced a year ago, the problem persists.
200,000 Vapes Found in Waste Monthly
Under current regulations, disposable vapes are banned from household waste. However, thousands are discarded incorrectly each day. Biffa discovered 200,000 vapes in waste last month across just four of its recycling facilities. Brian noted that around five fires occur daily due to vapes dumped in waste, posing serious risks in collection vehicles and recycling plants.
Call for Deposit Scheme
Biffa is advocating for a deposit of up to £5 on vapes to encourage proper disposal. Brian stated: “The awareness and risks associated with putting vapes in household containers aren’t enough. We need consumer behavior change, with vapes returned to stores where they were bought—stores are legally obligated to take them back. An incentive is the way to do that.”
Legal Penalties and Fire Risks
Disposing of vapes in general household waste or recycling bins is illegal in the UK, carrying a penalty of up to £600 under household waste duty of care regulations. Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, which cause severe fire risks in bin lorries and waste facilities. Vapes should be returned to stores or recycling facilities, not placed in normal bins or littered.
Industry Perspectives
Patrick Brighty, head of recycling policy at the Environmental Services Association (ESA), said: “Despite the ban, each week operators see hundreds of thousands of carelessly discarded vapes hidden among other waste, posing major fire risks. Discarded vapes are unlikely to be recycled, wasting precious materials.” He noted that existing take-back infrastructure is underperforming due to lack of incentives.
Material Focus reports that the number of vapes thrown away weekly has fallen from 8.2 million to about six million since the ban. Biffa proposes a £5 deposit, subject to consultation. The Local Government Association (LGA) has called for stricter enforcement. Councillor Dr Wendy Taylor said: “Year two of the ban must focus on enforcement and closing the loophole of these vapes. The volume in bins has dropped, but industry has moved faster than regulation—products causing fires today are effectively disposables in a different shell.”
Marcus Saxton, chairman of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, acknowledged “more to be done” to encourage recycling but warned that a deposit scheme could drive consumers to illicit retailers who do not charge it.
