South West independent waste management firm DCW has launched a new disposable vape recycling service in a bid to divert potentially hazardous waste away from landfill.
After expanding its existing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling service, DCW says it can now provide businesses with two 23-litre caddies so that disposable vape users can recycle the casing and batteries of vapes responsibly.
Businesses that wish to recycle disposable vapes with DCW will receive two caddies. The Exeter-based company says one bag will include vermiculite to collect lithium-ion batteries “safely” whilst the second collects the plastic casing and the small wire inside the vape.
DCW collects both bins together to keep carbon emissions from vehicles “to a minimum.” The company continues that batteries are sent in bulk to a specialist firm in Manchester to be recycled and recovered; clean plastic then goes to DCW Polymers to be used in the making of DCW’s recycled plastic furniture range.
DCW says many of its existing customers have already signed up for the disposable vape recycling scheme including My Vape in Newton Abbot and the Guildhall Shopping Centre in Exeter.
Many don’t realise that these single-use vapes can actually be recycled and it’s important that the materials are recovered.
Commenting on the launch, Simon Almond, Managing Director of DCW, said: “Many don’t realise that these single-use vapes can actually be recycled and it’s important that the materials are recovered as they can be dangerous to the environment if they end up in landfill.
“The materials found in electrical waste are incredibly valuable but unfortunately, not enough is being done on a global scale to recycle electronic items. By extending our WEEE recycling service to include disposable vapes, we hope to make a difference here in the South West.
“Not only can we recover the wire and lithium batteries, but we can also recycle the plastic casing too. The material that doesn’t contain POPs can go into the making of our recycled furniture range, creating a truly circular economy in the South West.”
In September, DCW acquired Plymouth-based electrical collection and recycling company Collectrical, growing its client base across Devon and Cornwall.
DCW’s disposable vape recycling service is available to South West businesses for £65 + VAT for both containers.
