Put a £5 deposit on vapes to stop littering, say waste companies
Put a £5 deposit on vapes to stop littering, say waste companies 13 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Ben King Business reporter Getty Images Disposable vapes were banned a year ago but some now want remaining 'loopholes' to be closed Waste companies have called for a deposit of up to £5 to be charged on vapes to encourage people to dispose of them properly. Disposable vapes were banned a year ago, partly because of the issues they cause for bin lorries and waste facilities when thrown away with general rubbish. But the industry body for waste companies says vape recycling has not improved enough, so a small, refundable deposit at the point of purchase is a "simple, fair, efficient and cost-neutral solution". Some vape companies oppose the idea of a deposit scheme, saying it would encourage people to buy from illicit retailers who don't charge it. Under the Environmental Services Association's (ESA) proposal, a deposit would be charged on vapes when purchased, and returned to customers when they dispose of the vape properly. Vapes can already be returned to stores where they are purchased - which are meant to have facilities to take them back - or returned to recycling facilities. They should not be put in normal bins, general recycling, or littered in the environment. The ESA says a deposit would have to be large enough to incentivise people to dispose of vapes properly. Biffa, the UK's largest waste company, has put forward the figure of £5, but that would be subject to consultation if the idea progresses. Patrick Brighty, ESA's head of recycling policy, said: "Despite the ban, each week operators across the waste sector continue to see hundreds of thousands of carelessly discarded vapes arrive at their facilities hidden among other waste, which poses a major fire risk. "Vapes discarded with other rubbish are also unlikely to be recycled, which is a chronic waste of the precious materials they contain." He said the existing infrastructure to take back and recycle vapes was "currently underperforming" because of a lack of incentives for people to use it. Vape ban isn't working, says waste firm boss The Local Government Association (LGA) says the number of vapes thrown away each week has fallen since disposables were banned, but only from 8.2 million per week to about six million. Some firms offer reusable vapes which are similar in size and price to popular disposable models, but added USB ports and reusable tanks make them qualify as reusable. The LGA has called for these to be banned. Chairwoman of the LGA's health and wellbeing committee, councillor Dr Wendy Taylor, said year two of the ban must focus on enforcement and closing the "loophole" of these vapes. "A year on, the volume of vapes in our bins has dropped, but industry has moved faster than regulation – the products causing fires in our bin lorries today are effectively the same disposables in a different shell," she said. Marcus Saxton, chairman of the Independent Bri
Excited to see waste companies stepping up and proposing a simple solution to tackle the vape littering issue. A 5 deposit on vapes could make a huge difference in encouraging proper disposal and reducing waste. Lets hope this proposal gains traction and helps keep our streets clean. #VapeLitter #SustainableSolutions
While a 5 deposit on vapes could be a practical solution, its crucial to consider the broader impact on consumers and the environment. A small fee might deter casual users from disposing of their vapes properly, but it could also lead to increased costs for consumers and potential black markets for unrecyclable vapes. A more comprehensive approach, including education on proper disposal and incentives for recycling, might offer a more sustainable long-term solution.
Thoughtful approach, but could this inadvertently drive up costs for consumers? Might it also deter recycling efforts if fees arent refunded? Lets weigh the practicality against potential unintended consequences.
Vape litter? Not a new problem. Deposit schemes dont solve bin full issues. Education and proper disposal bins needed. Waste companies pushing quick fixes again. #VapeSkeptic
While deposit schemes might seem like a quick fix, they wont address the root cause of the issue. Proper education and accessible disposal bins are key to reducing vape litter. Waste companies need to prioritize long-term solutions over short-term profits. #VapeSkeptic
Deposit schemes could be a quick fix, but education and accessible bins are key. Waste companies need to invest in proper infrastructure to support recycling and reduce litter. #vape responsibly #recycling
Great initiative! Encouraging responsible disposal while promoting recycling. Lets hope it balances practicality with sustainability goals. #VapeResponsibility #SustainableFuture
Lets focus on education and accessible disposal bins instead of quick fixes. #VapeSkeptic #SustainableSolutions
Its great to see waste companies taking initiative to address the issue of vaping littering by proposing a 5 deposit on vapes. This simple yet effective solution could go a long way in encouraging people to dispose of their used vapes properly and reduce the amount of litter on our streets and in our communities. Its a win-win situation for both the environment and businesses alike.
While a 5 deposit on vapes sounds like a simple solution, I think its important to consider the broader implications. Vaping has its own unique set of environmental challenges, and a deposit scheme might just shift the problem to a different form of waste. Maybe its time for a more comprehensive approach, like incentivizing companies to design more sustainable products or improving public awareness and access to proper disposal facilities. What do you think?
Absolutely agree that addressing litter is crucial. A 5 deposit could incentivize proper disposal, but we must carefully consider how to ensure its refunded and doesnt inadvertently drive up costs. Lets aim for a system thats both practical and effective. #vapeethics #wasteissues
Its a creative and innovative solution to address the issue of e-cigarette waste. By requiring a deposit on vapes, waste companies hope to incentivize consumers to properly dispose of their devices, reducing litter and the burden on waste management systems. Its a practical approach that could make a significant impact in encouraging responsible behavior and promoting sustainability.
Vape deposits could tackle litter but ignore the e-waste crisis. We need comprehensive policies addressing both sides of the vaping equation.
This is a clever solution to address the issue of vaping litter. By requiring a small deposit on each vape device, waste companies can encourage responsible disposal and reduce the amount of litter on our streets and in our environment. Its a win-win situation for everyone involved, as it helps to keep our communities clean and tidy while also promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle.