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The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major fire warning to anyone who vapes as huge threat of £6,000 fines to be enforced in just days
WITH an impending vape ban looming, customers and businesses have been warned of the potential risks of disposing of vapes. Using lithium batteries, disposable vapes pose a huge risk of fire if they're not properly disposed of. 4 They will be banned under UK Government legislation coming into effect on June 1. Ahead of the ban has warned customers and businesses to dispose of the devices properly. More than 40 tonnes of lithium, used in the batteries, was thrown out with disposable vapes in the UK in 2022 — enough to power 5,000 electric cars. Businesses could face hefty fines of up to £6,000 and customers could inadvertently start fires if they are careless in throwing away their old vapes. reports that any shop or other business that sells more than £100,000 of electrical goods per year must provide an in-store solution where customers can dispose of products on a one-for-one basis. To ensure they're compliant businesses must also provide and display information to customers about the take back service they offer, keep a record of all WEEE items they collect and dispose of and maintain records of how they tell customers about their take back scheme. Shops or companies that sell less than £100,000 of electrical goods a year should sign up to the Distributor Takeback Scheme (DTS). A charge applies for this based on the businesses size and its sales. The DTS provides an exemption from the in store take back requirement of WEEE (including vapes) when a new equivalent EEE item (a vape) is bought. This scheme allows businesses to pay a fee that covers any WEEE obligations until 31 December 2026. Any businesses that fail to adhere to the regulations risks a fine of up to £6,000 and further prosecution. Customers tossing vapes into a regular bin could lead to fires and environmental damage. The devices are classed as WEEE products and must be disposed of appropriately. What are the new vape laws? Ministers have pledged to crackdown on poorly regulated vapes and e-cigarettes following an explosion in the number of teenagers who use them. New rules for manufacturers and shopkeepers are expected to come into force in 2025. They are set to include: Higher tax rates paid on vapes increase the price and make it harder for children to afford them A ban on single-use vapes in favour of devices that can be recharged A ban on colourful and cartoonish packaging that may appeal to youngsters Tighter controls on flavourings and a ban on unnecessarily sweet or child-friendly ones like bubblegum and candy More regulation on how and where they are displayed in shops, potentially putting them out of sight Harsher penalties for shops caught selling them to under-18s The ban on disposable vapes is part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping. A report published by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found 20.5 per cent of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023, up from 15.8 per cent in 2022 and 13.9 per cent in 2020. If vapes with lithium batteries are crushed or damaged they can produce immense heat. This can potentially set bin lorries and waste management sites ablaze. Disposable vapes that end up in landfill sites could leak nicotine, battery acid and chemicals from plastics into the environment. Customers and businesses have been urged to dispose of their vapes appropriately before the ban comes into effect. Vapers have been warned away from stockpiling the disposable products as well. A stockpile of devices using lithium batteries could pose a potential fire risk in the home. Poor storage conditions can dramatically shorten the shelf life of disposable vapes and lead to serious risk of fire. Retailers could face fines of up to £200 if they continue to sell disposable vapes after June 1. WEEE waste professionals said: "Many people mistakenly believe that vapes can be tossed into their regular bin at home, but they're actually classed as WEEE, which has strict rules for disposal. "When vapes are disposed of in household bins, this can lead to fires in bin trucks and at waste management sites, posing a huge risk to workers and the public." 4 4
The Sun
18-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 65p hack that stops your bin from smelling bad – it keeps pests out the garden, too
THERE'S nothing more off-putting in the summer than the smell of bins when you want to sit in your garden. Not only is it hard to ignore, but the smell can linger for days, especially in the sunshine and warm weather. 4 4 And with at least four huge outdoor bins at most homes, sometimes there's not a lot of space where you can put them to get them out of the way. Luckily, experts have shared their fool-proof top tips to stop your outdoor bins from smelling this summer. And one handy trick only costs 65p - and you might even already have it in your kitchen cupboard. Graham Matthews, waste management expert at says homeowners should keep on top of their rubbish every few months. Not only can this get rid of smells, but it also keeps pests and insects away. He said: "Keeping your wheelie bin clean reduces bad smells, germs, and stops pests. "While it might not be the most glamorous job, spending time cleaning your bins every couple of months is a great way to stop insects like flies and maggots from taking over. 'There are some simple storage and disposal hacks that will prevent smells and pests at the source. "Correct food waste disposal helps keep your bin clean. "And it also means you'll be doing your bit for the environment.' We've decked out our house for FREE using brand new furniture we found in bins 1. Add bicarbonate of soda to the bottom of your bin Bicarbonate of soda can be picked up for as little as 65p in supermarkets including Tesco. And it can be a lifesaver for getting rid of unwanted smells, which in turn stops pests from being attracted to your garden. Graham suggests sprinkling some at the bottom of the bin as it can help get rid of 'bin juice'. He explains: "Doing this helps neutralise many bad smells. "Bad bin odours are often caused by acidic substances released as food waste breaks down. "Bicarbonate of soda is an alkali, which helps counteract this, creating a chemical reaction that neutralises the odour. "Bicarbonate of soda can also absorb 'bin juice' and other moisture that creates a less hospitable environment for bacteria that may contribute to bad smells." 2. Store it in a cool, dry place As mentioned before, you might not have a lot of options for places to store your bins, especially if your garden is on the smaller side. But trying to put it somewhere that's cool, dry or shaded can make a big difference when it comes to the smell. Graham advises: "Moving your wheelie bin out of direct sunlight when you can will slow down the decomposition of waste, which reduces the chance of bad odours developing. "A bin store can be a great solution. "If this isn't an option, look for a shaded spot on your property, preferably under shelter or in a garage." 4 3. Always keep the lid closed This may seem like an obvious one, but the experts say it can be an easy mistake than many homeowners make. Graham has urged everyone to make sure they shut the lids after putting something inside their bin. He warned: "If your bin lid remains open for long periods of time, it can contribute to bad smells. "Keeping the lid closed reduces the amount of oxygen reaching your waste, which will slow down the aerobic bacteria responsible for breaking down waste and producing strong smells. "Alongside this, keeping the lid closed prevents pests like insects and rats from getting inside. "These can contribute to bad smells by laying eggs and disturbing your waste." Expert's tips for giving your bin a good, deep scrub While most of the time we can use washing-up liquid to clean our bins, sometimes it's just not enough. So Graham has shared his top pieces of advice on how to properly clean your bin if it's been left untouched during the cold, winter months. Base – "Scrape out any thick bits of grime, dirt, or rubbish stuck to the sides or bottom of the bin with a trowel or shovel. Lie the wheelie bin on its side and use a hose or pressure washer to blast away the dirt, pouring it out into a drain. Put the bin upright and add the antibacterial spray, bleach, or eco-friendly alternative and swill it around the bottom. Leave to destroy the germs, then pour it out and rinse with clean water." Sides – "As you spray water into the base, make sure you get the sides as well to remove any bits of dirt. Cover the four sides with the antibacterial spray too and leave for as long as necessary to kill any germs. Scrub the sides clean with a mop or hard brush before pouring out the cleaning solution in the base. After the bin is emptied of all liquids, leave it to dry, either on its side or upside down (you can also use a towel to speed up the process)." Lid – "After washing the sides and base inside the bin, move onto the lid. Simply wipe the underside clean with a cloth and warm water, then apply the antibacterial spray and leave for a few minutes. Rinse it off with a sponge or cloth and some fresh water and leave it to dry." He adds: "Antibacterial or bleach sprays are necessary to destroy germs, but there are eco-conscious options to stay green when you clean. A homemade recipe of water, white vinegar, and lemon juice works just as well." 4. Dispose of food waste correctly We're all guilty of just chucking our food waste in outdoor bins - especially in the summer when you're having a BBQ. But Graham says that doing this can not only cause the bin to smell, but it can also attract pests like rats and foxes. The expert said: "Ideally, waste food should be composted or put in a separate food waste bin. "If that's not possible, make sure all food scraps are sealed in biodegradable bags or wrapped tightly before being placed in the bin. "Keep food waste in a smaller, sealed container when you can and only transfer it to the larger bin closer to collection day." 5. Clean your bin regularly and effectively It's not a pleasant job, but it's the easiest way to keep it clean and get rid of smells. And Graham says all you need is some washing-up liquid for the job. He explained: "You should keep on top of cleaning your bin regularly. "A bucket of warm water, a cloth, and some washing-up liquid should do the job." 4
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How this 35p ingredient found in almost every home can stop your food going off
An expert has sworn that this 35p ingredient found in nearly every British household is the answer to stopping your food from going off. It was revealed that washing your fruit and vegetables with a white vinegar mix can extend their shelf life. All you need to do is mix one part white vinegar with six parts water before soaking your produce in the mixture for around five minutes. After letting it dry, you should then put your produce in a clean container, with a paper towel lining the bottom, at the bottom of your fridge. Discussing the hack, food waste expert Graham Matthews from Business Waste said: 'Understanding the science behind food spoilage can be key to helping to reduce it. "When we understand how spoilage affects different products and why, we can choose to make smarter choices when it comes to storing our food. "Simple hacks like rinsing in vinegar, freezing, or pickling are all easy preservation methods that can have a huge impact on reducing food waste in the home.' The expert also shared a number of other ways you can keep your fruit and vegetables fresher for longer. It is always worth storing your food with "care and attention," according to the expert. He explains: "Try to separate bananas from other foods as they can speed up the ripening process, use airtight containers to keep food dry, and keep herbs in a glass of water to extend their life." For optimal storage, your fridge should be set at 4°C or below to slow the growth of bacteria. It is also important to remember that your fridge door compartments will be warmer, so try to only store drinks and condiments here. Stocking up your freezer? Keep these 5 'surprising' foods away from it These are the foods you should avoid that are bad for your cholesterol Why Brits are being urged to wash 7 common supermarket foods before eating The expert states: "Cooking and freezing food before it goes off if you don't have time to eat it is a great way to prevent domestic food waste. Most frozen food retains its nutritional value." Graham explains: "Pickling, fermenting, and conserving fruits, vegetables, and meats is a great way to extend their life.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Yahoo
Being an annoying neighbour could see you slapped with £400 fine over little-known rule
It's a nightmare when your outdoor bin is full before collection day. There's always the temptation to walk a little ways down the road and sling your bursting bin bags into your unsuspecting neighbour's bin, but you should be careful before doing so. London waste management experts have issued a warning over using your neighbour's bin. Using your neighbour's bin is actually deemed to be a form of antisocial behaviour that might be considered fly-tipping, so in short, no, you can't. 'Bin stuffing' is an offence that not many are aware of and can lead to massive fines. READ MORE: Martin Lewis responds to worries cash ISA limit could be reduced to £4,000 READ MORE: Rachel Reeves breaks silence on cash ISA '£4,000 limit' reports The thinking behind this that it can lead to serious inconveniences for your neighbour. Even a small bag of rubbish thrown in another person's bin can lead to unnecessary tension and a logistical headache for the bin owner. The local authorities decide on the level of fines from minor flytipping cases like bin stuffing. The penalty often ranges from £150 to £400, depending on the severity of the offence and local council rules. Failing to pay the fine could me you get taken to court and the fine is increased. Further escalation could even land you with a criminal record, debt recovery that impacts your credit score or even imprisonment. Though it seems unlikely you will be fined for this, it does happen. In December 2024, a Birmingham resident was fined £1,000 for the offence, The Mirror reported. Being the victim of bin stuffing can be a real nuisance. To avoid this happening, if possible, move your bin to a more secure and difficult location to access. If this fails, consider speaking to the neighbour and explaining the trouble its causing you. Beyond this it might be necessary to take further action. Many local councils provide guidance and can offer solutions, including locking your bin or marking it clearly to deter misuse. If all else fails, contact your local council to file a formal complaint, providing evidence where possible. Mark Hall, waste collection expert at BusinessWaste, says: 'Good neighbourly relations are built on respect and understanding. Handling waste properly is not just a matter of legal obligation; it's also a significant component of living harmoniously in close quarters. 'Ensuring that each household takes responsibility for their own waste is key to maintaining not only cleanliness and order, but also a pleasant environment for everyone in the community.' Get the top stories from across London directly to your inbox. Sign up for MyLondon's The 12 HERE to get the biggest stories every day
