Published 2023-03-22
How to Dispose of Disposable Vapes UK
Disposable vapes have been growing in popularity in the UK, with 5.2% of British vapers choosing disposables in 2022 compared with only 2.2% in 2021. However, as this category is still fairly new, this leaves vapers with a lot of important questions.
The most important question is “where can I throw my disposable vape?” Before you chuck your old vape, read our guide to learn how to do it properly.
Where Can I Dispose of My Disposable Vape?
There are several different places you can dispose of your old vapes across the UK. Depending on where you live will depend on what options you have, but the 3 main places and ways you can recycle your vapes are:
- Your local collection. Some local authorities collect electrical waste with the usual collection or on request. You can contact your local authority or visit their website to see if this is an option in your area.
- Your Local Recycling Centre. Another option is to take your old vapes to your local recycling centre. Batteries can be disposed of in the battery bins, and all other parts of your vape (or the full device if the vape battery cannot be removed) can be disposed of in the electrical waste bins.
- Local Recycling Banks. In addition to your local recycling centre, some of the recycling banks in carparks and designated roadside areas have dedicated bins for electrical waste disposal.
Why Is it Important for You to Dispose of Your Disposable Vape Properly?
In the UK, over 3 million vapes are thrown away each week, 1.3 million single-use vapes a week binned and disposable vapes are disposed of more than any other type of vape (as the name would suggest). Each year, Brits dispose of enough disposable vapes to cover 22 football pitches.
Even though they are “disposable” - these vapes should still be disposed of responsibly and recycled where possible. Most vape kits contain lithium (usually found in the battery). Lithium is a vital component in batteries, especially in rechargeable batteries you can find in phones, computers, cameras and even electric cars! Lithium is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys and clocks - making it an important resource for us to recycle.
Recycling your vapes means that the lithium can be recycled and helps reduce the human and environmental impact brought by these batteries and ensure we can keep making these products in the future.
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