Residents are being reminded of the dangers of incorrectly disposing of vapes in their general waste or recycling.
Disposing of vapes and e-cigarettes the wrong way is damaging to the environment through both littering and batteries and electronic waste ending up in landfill.
More than three million vapes are being discarded across the UK every week*. Around 1.3 million are marketed as ‘disposable’ which adds to the problem of throw away limited use products.
Lucioni: Being thrown on the ground in the same way people discard cigarette butts
Cllr Karen Lucioni, Cabinet lead for waste management, said,
“We’re seeing more discarded vapes littering our streets, beaches and green spaces.
“They are being thrown on the ground in the same way people discard cigarette butts. Vapes are fully recyclable, so please recycle them responsibly once you have finished using them.
“Try to use rechargeable devices and avoid the use of single-use disposable options to save on waste. Vapes contain harmful chemicals, which can leak into the environment and pollute soil and water systems.”
How to dispose of them
Vapes are classed as small electricals or WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment). They are packed full of recyclable material including lithium-ion batteries, copper and plastics.
Place them in the WEEE skips at the Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRC).
At the HWRC, these materials are stripped from the WEEE and sent off to be recycled. This prevents vapes from ending up in landfill where toxic chemicals can leak out into the soil and water course.
Please do not dispose of them using the kerbside battery recycling service.
Dix: They contain toxic and corrosive materials
Natasha Dix, strategic manager for environment, said,
“We are reminding residents that old vapes cannot be recycled in your household bins or through the kerbside battery collection service.
“They contain toxic and corrosive materials and can cause fires on the collection vehicles or at the waste treatment site.
“They should be taken either to your nearest HWRC or to one of the many vape takeback schemes within the shops that sell them to be recycled.
“Retailers of electronics have a legal obligation to take them back from you for recycling, so you can also return them to where you bought them. However, not all outlets have signed up to takeback schemes.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
