New analysis conducted by Material Focus has indicated that 90% of the smaller vape and vape juice producers in the UK seem to be failing to comply with environmental regulations.
The analysis says larger vape producers and importers, who have only recently registered, are not covering the true costs of collection and recycling as vapes are falling under normal small electricals rather than their own special category.
Last year, Material Focus says its research identified at least 1.3 million disposable vapes are littered and binned each week, which contain a range of precious materials, including lithium and copper.
The analysis examined the company records of over 150 of the most significant vape and vape juice producers in the UK. It identified that only 16 had registered to comply with environmental regulations for producer responsibility for waste electricals, portable batteries and packaging.
We are calling on disposable single-use vape consumers to put pressure on retailers to make it possible for them to drop off their vapes in-store.
However, Material Focus says the companies identified have not registered with UK environment agencies for various environmental regulations which mandate that they contribute to the costs of recycling the products and packaging they sell when they reach their end of life.
Material Focus’ analysis has also identified that if all of the 138 million disposable single-use vapes that are bought in the UK per annum were financed to be recycled this would cost the producers up to £69 million per annum.
Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, commented: “The environmental responsibilities of vape producers are very clear. Any company that is producing significant quantities of electrical items is required to register, report their sales and finance the cost of their product being recycled.
“We are calling on disposable single-use vape consumers to put pressure on retailers to make it possible for them to drop off their vapes in-store. Vape producers, importers and retailers need to be held to account, and step up to the plate by making sure that we do not lose the precious materials contained inside these vapes.”