The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has launched its fourth annual Sustainable Vaping Week, calling on retailers and consumers to improve the responsible disposal and recycling of used vaping products.
Coinciding with International E-Waste Day today (14 October), the campaign aims to raise awareness of how and where used vapes can be recycled, while helping businesses selling vaping products understand and meet their environmental obligations.
At the centre of the initiative is Recycle-vapes.co.uk, a year-round information hub providing guidance for producers, importers, distributors and retailers on their responsibilities under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations, including take-back requirements.
The platform also provides consumers with practical advice on recycling used devices, alongside downloadable guides and promotional materials that retailers can share in-store and online.
John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA, said: “Ensuring used vapes are disposed of responsibly is a key part of that mission and everyone needs to play their part in making it happen.”
He added that Sustainable Vaping Week was an opportunity to encourage businesses to meet their environmental obligations and help consumers understand how to dispose of used products.
The campaign follows research published by not-for-profit organisation Material Focus in March, which found that an estimated 6.3 million vapes and pods were being thrown away or incorrectly recycled every week in the UK.
Although this represented a 23 per cent year-on-year reduction, 47 per cent of vapers did not know their devices could be recycled, while 80 per cent felt there was insufficient information on how to do so.
UKVIA calls for stronger enforcement
Alongside the recycling campaign, the UKVIA is calling on the government to commit to a Fair Deal for Vaping, which includes stronger action against non-compliant businesses and a proposed licensing scheme for vape retailers and distributors.
The association wants proof of compliance with WEEE requirements to form part of the proposed scheme's conditions for businesses seeking permission to sell vaping products.
Dunne also called for tougher action against sellers of illegal products, including banned single-use vapes.
“Rogue sellers who flout the law by selling non-compliant products and banned single-use vapes are undermining responsible businesses and have no place in the UK market,” he said.