New research conducted by insurer Zurich Municipal has shed light on a concerning issue regarding the disposal of single-use vapes in the UK. The study reveals that a staggering 78% of

single-use vapes sold in the country are improperly discarded in general waste bins, rather than being recycled. This has resulted in a surge of fires in council refuse trucks and waste processing plants, posing significant environmental and safety hazards.

The statistics indicate that over two million single-use vapes are being disposed of incorrectly every week. This data comes after Material Focus reported last year that 1.3 million single-use vapes were discarded weekly. The situation has become even more critical, as improper disposal of single-use vapes is leading to an increasing number of fires in waste collection vehicles and facilities.

The Local Government Association, representing councils in England and Wales, is urging the government to ban the sale and manufacture of single-use vapes by 2024 in an effort to address this growing issue.

The survey conducted by Zurich Municipal involved 1,000 vape users and revealed that 41% of respondents discarded disposable vapes in household waste bins, 28% in street bins, 27% in household recycling bins, and 20% at work. Only 15% of users returned used vapes to local authority recycling sites, while 13% handed them back to retailers. Shockingly, 7% admitted to discarding empty devices on the street.

Moreover, the study found that 72% of vape users were unaware that single-use vapes cannot be thrown in household waste or recycling bins. Furthermore, 70% were not aware that these devices contain lithium batteries, and 63% were oblivious to the fact that the batteries can combust if damaged or crushed.

Zurich Municipal has obtained Freedom of Information data indicating that the number of bin lorries catching fire has risen by 62% in the past two years. Similarly, house fires caused by vapes have increased by 108% in the same period, from 59 incidents in 2020 to 123 in 2022.

In light of these alarming findings, 48% of vape users support a campaign to raise public awareness about proper disposal methods for single-use vapes. Additionally, 42% of consumers feel that vape packaging lacks adequate information on safe disposal.

Alix Bedford, a risk expert at Zurich Municipal, emphasizes the need for urgent action, stating that while councils have dealt with the issue of cigarette litter, single-use vapes present a more complex and hazardous problem. The presence of flammable lithium batteries inside these vapes poses a hidden danger to waste and recycling workers, leading to costly damage and disruptions in waste management services.

Zurich Municipal is calling on the UK government to create a separate category for vapes under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling regulations to address the issue effectively. Proper awareness and education are vital to curbing this growing threat and ensuring the safe and responsible disposal of single-use vapes. Photo by 6289AIT, Wikimedia commons.