If you’re in the business of selling vapes, you’ll know the numbers are nothing to sniff at. In 2024, UK consumers bought a staggering 13.5 million vapes1 every week, a 37% jump year-on-year. But while tills are ringing, there are less cheerful stats lurking in the aisles.
Figures suggest that 8.2 million single-use2, pod and ‘big puff’ vapes were being binned or improperly disposed of every week last year.
The popularity of e-cigarettes and vapes is putting a real strain on our environment and causing headaches for the country’s waste infrastructure, writes John Redmayne, Managing Director, ERP UK.
While a ban on single-use vapes3 landed on 1 June, the reality is that vapes aren’t vanishing overnight. Re-usable vapes are big business. These products contain lithium-ion batteries, electronics, toxic substances, and recyclable materials. They would do less harm to the environment if they were properly recycled. New laws have been passed to ensure this happens. Yet millions still end up in the bin.
The vape waste challenge: A dark cloud over retail
If people don’t recycle their vapes, the electricals and batteries inside typically ends up in the general waste stream. This leads to problematic outcomes including vapes going to landfill, wasting valuable materials like lithium, copper and aluminium. Discarded vapes also contribute to environmental pollution and pose a major fire hazard. Local authorities and waste processors report chemical leaks, and increasing fires linked to improperly disposed-of vapes and batteries.
Things are changing. Under regulations covering waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE Regulations4), all retailers in the UK selling vapes now have a legal obligation to provide a collection facility for consumers to return used vapes when they purchase a new one. It’s great to see that recycling bins and take-back schemes are already in place in the vast majority of supermarkets and convenience stores. The challenge for retailers though, is that many customers don’t know they exist.
As retailers, you’re under pressure to serve customers, keep shelves stocked and margins healthy, all while navigating a maze of new rules. The good news? Vape recycling isn’t just a compliance box to tick. Rather, it’s a chance to show leadership, build trust and make life easier for your teams and your customers.
Take-back schemes: Compliance made simple (and visible)
It’s likely that you’re already providing a visible, accessible recycling bin for customers to drop off used vapes. And remember that, if your electricals sales area is over 400 square metres, you must take back all “very small WEEE” (that’s anything under 25cm on its longest side), not just vapes.
But compliance isn’t just about dodging fines or keeping the Environment Agency, Trading Standards and DEFRA happy (though with enforcement ramping up, that’s reason enough). It’s about reputation, too. Customers are increasingly eco-savvy, and the vape industry is under the microscope. Offering an in-store take-back scheme shows you’re on the front foot, not just following the crowd.
So, how do you make your scheme work to maximum effect? It starts with visibility. Place bins in high-traffic areas, use clear signage and posters, and train staff to explain the ‘why’ behind recycling. Social media posts and in-store messaging can nudge customers towards doing the right thing. Remember that providing a bin ticks a box. Promoting its use tells a story. When team members share the reasons for vape recycling, habits change, and so do outcomes.
From complexity to community: Turning recycling into a retail win
Running a busy supermarket or convenience store is all about juggling priorities. You want to keep operations smooth, stay compliant and serve your community, all while keeping an eye on the bottom line. That’s where joining a compliance scheme like ERP UK5 can help. With over two decades of WEEE expertise6, we take the complexity out of vape recycling, offering compliant containers (from countertop tubes to fire-resistant drums), online collection management and reliable partnerships for stores of all sizes.
Organising collections is simple: when your bin’s full, book a pick-up online and our team will handle the rest, usually within 14 days. All collected vapes are sent for proper recycling, helping you meet your obligations and reduce environmental impact. We also provide resources and advice to help you train staff and engage customers, making recycling part of everyday store life.
Retailers who go the extra mile with vape recycling can reap significant benefits. Promoting a take-back scheme positions your business as a responsible community partner. It demonstrates leadership in sustainability, strengthening customer loyalty, and showing genuine investment in the local area. With shopper awareness of recycling options still low, even small efforts can have a big impact.
Manufacturers have a part to play, too. The best results come when retailers and suppliers work together. This paves the way for sharing information, supporting staff and making recycling easy and habitual for vapers. Collectively, we should be aiming for a circular system, and everyone has a role in making that happen.
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