Environmental challenges to continue despite single-use vape ban

Significant environmental challenges linked to single-use vapes will persist even after the ban, according to Material Focus.

It comes after the group’s research estimated 8.2 million vape products are binned every week.

Material Focus warned that vapes including “pods and big puffs” designed to “avoid the new regulations” are likely to pose the same environmental risks as single-use vapes set to be banned from 1 June 2025. 

In cases where complaint vapes have a similar look, feel and price points to disposable models, it could encourage “similar disposal behaviours”.

While some retailers are beginning to offer vape take-backs, it isn’t anywhere near enough to “turn the tide”, with many vapers unaware of where to recycle their vapes, it said.

“Without quick and extensive action, the threat of a vapocalypse remains and new big puff and pod vape models are already contributing to an environmental nightmare,” said Scott Butler, executive director at Material Focus.

“It should be as easy to recycle a vape as it is to buy one. We want more vapers demanding that where they buy them provide recycling points. It is a legal obligation for all those who sell vapes to provide this after all.”