Overview

• An estimated 8.2 million vapes, including 'big puff' models, are discarded or improperly recycled each week in the UK, equivalent to 13 per second.
• The popularity of 'big puff' vapes, which offer up to 6,000 puffs and cost less per puff, has surged, with three million sold weekly, particularly among younger users.
• Lithium-ion batteries in vapes are contributing to a 71% rise in waste-related fires in the past year, while valuable materials like lithium and copper remain unrecovered.
• Recycling efforts have improved slightly, with 20% of users returning vapes for recycling compared to 8% last year, but 77% report insufficient information on proper disposal methods.
• A ban on single-use vapes, set to take effect in June 2025, aims to address waste concerns, though campaigners warn of loopholes with new product designs and call for stricter regulations.