Latest news with #ScottButler
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The recycling dos and don'ts for throwing out your vapes
The government's ban on disposable vapes has come into force across the UK, making it illegal for any retailer to sell them. The ban applies to places such as supermarkets, corner shops and specialist vape shops, and aims to target both the waste caused by the devices, and the use of disposable vapes by young people. Retailers who break the rules will be first hit with a £200 fine and have all the offending products seized: those who reoffend face unlimited fines or jail time. The government has said the ban will help "call time on these nasty devices" saying the products have "blighted our streets as litter". So, as the ban comes into force, Yahoo News takes a look at what's going on and how people can dispose of their vapes properly. However, some vaping industry experts have warned that reusable devices are already on sale at the same price, in the same packaging, as disposables, and that vape producers are changing products to fit with the ban. Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, which leads the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, told ITV News: "Vape producers are being infinitely creative with their products in order to avoid the forthcoming disposable vape ban. 'We might need more flexible legislation to deal with the challenges of new products with similar challenges surging onto the market." Single-use vape are ones with a battery you cannot recharge or replace, and these are the ones affected by the ban. Top brands include Elf Bar and Lost Mary. Reusable vapes must have rechargeable batteries, refillable containers and removable and replaceable coils if applicable. Data from anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health found that the number of vapers who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025 The use of disposables among 18 to 24-year-olds vapers has already declined this year, from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. Almost five million disposable vapes were either littered or discarded very week last year, according to campaign group Material Focus. The devices also use lithium which is required for electric car batteries, and can explode, leading to a series of fires at waste sites. Libby Peake, senior fellow and head of resources at Green Alliance, said in a statement: 'Single use vapes should never have been allowed on the market. They've been a blight on our countryside, wasted resources needed for important uses like EV batteries and caused scores of fires at waste sites. 'They've done all this while having a lasting impact on the health of young people, creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.' The ban does not apply to using disposable vapes, only selling them, so if you have any left there is no problem about using them. However, the Local Government Association has warned that stockpiling single-use vapes is a fire risk, with the lithium batteries in the devices posing a potential risk to life if stored incorrectly. That means you should not recycle vapes in household waste due to the high fire risk from the devices. Instead, there are recycling centres around Britain which can deal with single-use vapes. They are often taken apart by hand to deal with the batteries in the devices, which can also leak harmful chemicals. To find one near you, visit Recycle Your Electricals, enter your postcode, and type 'vape' in the box. Recycle Your Electricals can also help you find places to recycle used vape pods and other vaping waste, as well as recycling broken vapes. Household waste sites will also have bins for devices. All household waste and recycling centres have bins for electricals and batteries. If you can remove the battery, recycle it separately. If you can't, recycle the whole vaping kit with your electrical recycling," Recycle Your Electricals says. Read more This is what vaping does to your body Eight lesser-known vaping health risks as non-smoker users rise
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
UK to ban sale of disposable vapes in response to soaring waste and safety risks
The sale of disposable vapes will be banned in the United Kingdom from Sunday, as the country becomes the latest to tackle the 'environmental nightmare' of the single-use devices. However, some campaigners warn that the new restrictions are just 'a drop in the ocean' in the war against plastic waste. The ban positions the UK among the first countries in Europe to legislate against disposable vapes, following similar moves in France and Belgium. An estimated 8.2 million disposable vapes – the equivalent of 13 every second – are discarded in the UK every week, according to an analysis released by environmental group Material Focus in December. In official guidance, the UK government described the disposable vapes as 'eyesores,' and said their widespread disposal has 'a hugely damaging impact on our environment and wildlife.' The plastics used in disposable vape products are 'nearly impossible for nature to completely break down,' it added. Improperly discarded batteries can ignite rubbish trucks and waste facilities, it added, with Material Focus linking such incidents to around 1,200 fires between May 2023 and May 2024. 'The ban will also help curb the rise in youth vaping,' the government said. 'Over half of children who use vapes report that 'disposable' models are their product of choice.' The legislation will not criminalize possession of disposable vapes. Instead, it targets retailers and distributors, who could face initial penalty fines of £200 ($270) for violations after Sunday. For continued breaches of the new law, an offender could be hit with further fines or a prison sentence. For those already tackling the environmental fallout, the ban is long overdue. 'Without quick and extensive action, the threat of a 'vapocalypse' remains,' Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, told CNN. 'New 'big puff' and 'pod' vape models are already contributing to an environmental nightmare. 'Vape producers are being infinitely creative with their products in order to avoid the forthcoming disposable vape ban,' he added. Anticipating the shift, major vape manufacturers began adapting their product lines ahead of the legislation coming into force. 'We have been proactively preparing for this shift,' a spokesperson for ElfBar and Lost Mary, which are both owned by Chinese firm Shenzhen iMiracle Technology, told CNN. 'From launching our first reusable product in the UK in mid-2022 to the development of reusable products in the wake of the legislation as early as a year ago.' But, on the ground, one London retailer warned that consumer habits may prove harder to shift. 'Customers prefer the older disposables, which provide 600 puffs, not the newer, non-disposable 6,000-puff versions. This is because they prefer changing the flavor of the vape more often,' Adi Patel, who works at Hari Off License in Shoreditch, east London, told CNN ahead of the ban coming into effect. 'The new vapes are also more expensive, which is more difficult for customers,' he added. Ahead of the ban coming into force, John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association, said in a statement: 'We've always maintained that bans are not the answer to the issues linked to the vaping industry, but enforcement of the laws that are already in place to protect children and the environment.' He warned that the measure could lead to a increase in vapers returning to cigarette smoking and create a black market for disposable products. Vape use has surged in recent years. An estimated 5.6 million people vape in the UK, according to a survey carried out by public health charity Action on Smoking and Health last year. Disposable vapes have proved popular among young adults trying to quit smoking, but their sleek design, bright packaging and sweet flavors have also appealed to teenagers. Almost 1 in 10 secondary school pupils in the UK vape 'frequently,' according to a National Heath Service survey published in October, and a quarter of 11- to 15-year-olds have tried vaping. One former user told CNN that he was first drawn to vapes by their wide range of 'flavors and colors,' but was uncomfortable with how easily they were discarded. 'I would just put them in the bin, it didn't feel like the right way,' said 17-year-old Brighton student Eaben Kusik. 'It felt a bit wasteful throwing (away) the battery with the vape after three days. 'At first I thought, 'I don't like the government banning things,' but I think it's a good thing,' he added. For environmental organization Greenpeace UK, the move marks progress – but not nearly enough. 'Disposable vapes are a clear environmental menace,' Laura Burley, co-head of Greenpeace UK's plastic s campaign, told CNN. 'Welcome as the ban may be, it's a drop in the ocean compared to the tsunami of plastic waste still being produced.' A separate Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently making its way through parliament, would give ministers power to further restrict vape packaging, flavors, and marketing – particularly those seen as targeting children.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Warning over environmental ‘vapocalypse' despite ban on disposable versions
Shops and online retailers will be prohibited from selling single-use vapes from Sunday. The crackdown aims to curb their use among young people and reduce the litter and environmental impact. Disposable vapes are non-refillable, unable to be recharged, and are often thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than being recycled. Green campaigners say vape producers have been developing new styles that are cheap but meet reusable criteria, meaning they essentially circumvent the ban. Material Focus, which advocates for circular economies, said increasingly popular 'big puff' vapes are cheaper per inhalation than disposable devices. The group also highlighted pod-based styles, some of which are rechargeable and refillable but remain cheap enough for consumers to have little incentive to reuse them. In many cases the products have a similar look, feel and price to disposable models, the campaigners said. Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, said: 'Without quick and extensive action, the threat of a 'vapocalypse' remains and new big puff and pod vape models are already contributing to an environmental nightmare.' He added that vape company design teams have been 'working their socks off to get new legal models on to the market' while the regulatory work was being carried out. 'To most users of these vapes, and shopkeepers even, they may not notice any difference in the old disposable vapes versus the new re-useable ones,' he said. Mr Butler said that while the ban will take some of the most environmentally wasteful products off the market, the UK may need more flexible legislation to tackle challenges around new models and waste. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said the incoming regulation on its own 'may be insufficient'. '(The) Government cannot expect leopards to change their spots,' she said. 'If they want a vaping market with products that have minimal impact on the environment, do not appeal to teens and are safe and effective to help adult smokers quit, then further regulations are needed.' Asked on Friday whether the legislation would be enough to stop vape producers flooding the market with similar products, nature minister Mary Creagh said: 'Well let's bring in the ban first. That's what I would say.' Ms Creagh said the tobacco and vapes Bill currently progressing through Parliament will look at further restrictions on vape sales and use, as she spoke to the PA news agency ahead of a visit to Sweeop Kuusakoski's vape processing facility in Sittingbourne, Kent. 'I'm confident that my colleagues in the Department of Health will not hesitate to use those powers should what we're doing this weekend not achieve the goals,' she said. 'But I'm confident that it is already sparking a conversation among young people … getting them to ask the questions, getting them to understand that there's no such place as 'away' and that these are really difficult to recycle.' She added that most big puff vapes on the market do not have replaceable coils so they are within the scope of the ban. The Government is considering further ways to drive up levels of separately collected electrical waste including vapes as part of reforms to waste electrical and electronic equipment regulations. Under current rules, vape producers already have a legal responsibility to finance their collection for recycling. Vapes contain valuable and critical materials such as lithium and copper that are regularly binned in household waste. If littered, they can also cause fires and other damaging or toxic impacts on the environment as well as wildlife. To help drive up recycling rates, Material Focus is calling for retailers to make more collection points available as well as the launch of a major communications campaign to drive public awareness about recycling the devices. Mr Butler said: 'The majority of vapers are either unaware of where to recycle their vapes or don't have a good experience of recycling them.' John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), said: 'This needs joined-up action from across the waste chain and more effort needs to be done to provide consumers with disposal points at the point of use and not just point of sale.' He said that while the UKVIA works to educate consumers on sustainable vape use and recycling initiatives 'more needs to be done'. 'We would encourage the Government to launch a national consumer education which includes responsible disposal of vapes, why vaping is much less harmful than smoking, and warning of the dangers of buying non-compliant products from the black market or other irregular sellers.' Claire Shrewsbury, director of insights and innovation at the Wrap charity, said single-use vapes have been a 'huge environmental issue'. 'This ban will help remove disposable vapes while giving people a reusable option,' she added. 'And with businesses which sell vapes legally obliged to provide recycling collections, awareness of this remains limited and needs to be better communicated.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Warning over environmental ‘vapocalypse' despite ban on disposable versions
Shops and online retailers will be prohibited from selling single-use vapes from Sunday. The crackdown aims to curb their use among young people and reduce the litter and environmental impact. Disposable vapes are non-refillable, unable to be recharged, and are often thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than being recycled. Green campaigners say vape producers have been developing new styles that are cheap but meet reusable criteria, meaning they essentially circumvent the ban. Material Focus, which advocates for circular economies, said increasingly popular 'big puff' vapes are cheaper per inhalation than disposable devices. The group also highlighted pod-based styles, some of which are rechargeable and refillable but remain cheap enough for consumers to have little incentive to reuse them. In many cases the products have a similar look, feel and price to disposable models, the campaigners said. Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, said: 'Without quick and extensive action, the threat of a 'vapocalypse' remains and new big puff and pod vape models are already contributing to an environmental nightmare.' He added that vape company design teams have been 'working their socks off to get new legal models on to the market' while the regulatory work was being carried out. 'To most users of these vapes, and shopkeepers even, they may not notice any difference in the old disposable vapes versus the new re-useable ones,' he said. Mr Butler said that while the ban will take some of the most environmentally wasteful products off the market, the UK may need more flexible legislation to tackle challenges around new models and waste. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said the incoming regulation on its own 'may be insufficient'. '(The) Government cannot expect leopards to change their spots,' she said. 'If they want a vaping market with products that have minimal impact on the environment, do not appeal to teens and are safe and effective to help adult smokers quit, then further regulations are needed.' Asked on Friday whether the legislation would be enough to stop vape producers flooding the market with similar products, nature minister Mary Creagh said: 'Well let's bring in the ban first. That's what I would say.' Ms Creagh said the tobacco and vapes Bill currently progressing through Parliament will look at further restrictions on vape sales and use, as she spoke to the PA news agency ahead of a visit to Sweeop Kuusakoski's vape processing facility in Sittingbourne, Kent. 'I'm confident that my colleagues in the Department of Health will not hesitate to use those powers should what we're doing this weekend not achieve the goals,' she said. 'But I'm confident that it is already sparking a conversation among young people … getting them to ask the questions, getting them to understand that there's no such place as 'away' and that these are really difficult to recycle.' She added that most big puff vapes on the market do not have replaceable coils so they are within the scope of the ban. The Government is considering further ways to drive up levels of separately collected electrical waste including vapes as part of reforms to waste electrical and electronic equipment regulations. Under current rules, vape producers already have a legal responsibility to finance their collection for recycling. Vapes contain valuable and critical materials such as lithium and copper that are regularly binned in household waste. If littered, they can also cause fires and other damaging or toxic impacts on the environment as well as wildlife. To help drive up recycling rates, Material Focus is calling for retailers to make more collection points available as well as the launch of a major communications campaign to drive public awareness about recycling the devices. Mr Butler said: 'The majority of vapers are either unaware of where to recycle their vapes or don't have a good experience of recycling them.' John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), said: 'This needs joined-up action from across the waste chain and more effort needs to be done to provide consumers with disposal points at the point of use and not just point of sale.' He said that while the UKVIA works to educate consumers on sustainable vape use and recycling initiatives 'more needs to be done'. 'We would encourage the Government to launch a national consumer education which includes responsible disposal of vapes, why vaping is much less harmful than smoking, and warning of the dangers of buying non-compliant products from the black market or other irregular sellers.' Claire Shrewsbury, director of insights and innovation at the Wrap charity, said single-use vapes have been a 'huge environmental issue'. 'This ban will help remove disposable vapes while giving people a reusable option,' she added. 'And with businesses which sell vapes legally obliged to provide recycling collections, awareness of this remains limited and needs to be better communicated.'
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Warning over environmental ‘vapocalypse' despite ban on disposable versions
Shops and online retailers will be prohibited from selling single-use vapes from Sunday. The crackdown aims to curb their use among young people and reduce the litter and environmental impact. Disposable vapes are non-refillable, unable to be recharged, and are often thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than being recycled. Green campaigners say vape producers have been developing new styles that are cheap but meet reusable criteria, meaning they essentially circumvent the ban. Material Focus, which advocates for circular economies, said increasingly popular 'big puff' vapes are cheaper per inhalation than disposable devices. The group also highlighted pod-based styles, some of which are rechargeable and refillable but remain cheap enough for consumers to have little incentive to reuse them. In many cases the products have a similar look, feel and price to disposable models, the campaigners said. Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, said: 'Without quick and extensive action, the threat of a 'vapocalypse' remains and new big puff and pod vape models are already contributing to an environmental nightmare.' He added that vape company design teams have been 'working their socks off to get new legal models on to the market' while the regulatory work was being carried out. 'To most users of these vapes, and shopkeepers even, they may not notice any difference in the old disposable vapes versus the new re-useable ones,' he said. Mr Butler said that while the ban will take some of the most environmentally wasteful products off the market, the UK may need more flexible legislation to tackle challenges around new models and waste. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said the incoming regulation on its own 'may be insufficient'. '(The) Government cannot expect leopards to change their spots,' she said. 'If they want a vaping market with products that have minimal impact on the environment, do not appeal to teens and are safe and effective to help adult smokers quit, then further regulations are needed.' Asked on Friday whether the legislation would be enough to stop vape producers flooding the market with similar products, nature minister Mary Creagh said: 'Well let's bring in the ban first. That's what I would say.' Ms Creagh said the tobacco and vapes Bill currently progressing through Parliament will look at further restrictions on vape sales and use, as she spoke to the PA news agency ahead of a visit to Sweeop Kuusakoski's vape processing facility in Sittingbourne, Kent. 'I'm confident that my colleagues in the Department of Health will not hesitate to use those powers should what we're doing this weekend not achieve the goals,' she said. 'But I'm confident that it is already sparking a conversation among young people … getting them to ask the questions, getting them to understand that there's no such place as 'away' and that these are really difficult to recycle.' She added that most big puff vapes on the market do not have replaceable coils so they are within the scope of the ban. The Government is considering further ways to drive up levels of separately collected electrical waste including vapes as part of reforms to waste electrical and electronic equipment regulations. Under current rules, vape producers already have a legal responsibility to finance their collection for recycling. Vapes contain valuable and critical materials such as lithium and copper that are regularly binned in household waste. If littered, they can also cause fires and other damaging or toxic impacts on the environment as well as wildlife. To help drive up recycling rates, Material Focus is calling for retailers to make more collection points available as well as the launch of a major communications campaign to drive public awareness about recycling the devices. Mr Butler said: 'The majority of vapers are either unaware of where to recycle their vapes or don't have a good experience of recycling them.' John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), said: 'This needs joined-up action from across the waste chain and more effort needs to be done to provide consumers with disposal points at the point of use and not just point of sale.' He said that while the UKVIA works to educate consumers on sustainable vape use and recycling initiatives 'more needs to be done'. 'We would encourage the Government to launch a national consumer education which includes responsible disposal of vapes, why vaping is much less harmful than smoking, and warning of the dangers of buying non-compliant products from the black market or other irregular sellers.' Claire Shrewsbury, director of insights and innovation at the Wrap charity, said single-use vapes have been a 'huge environmental issue'. 'This ban will help remove disposable vapes while giving people a reusable option,' she added. 'And with businesses which sell vapes legally obliged to provide recycling collections, awareness of this remains limited and needs to be better communicated.'
