- Almost three in five vapers admit they will bin their vapes in their general waste or recycling bin
- Incorrect disposal of vapes has already caused fires in refuse trucks and waste centres across the country
- Experts say incorrect disposal is a ‘ticking time bomb’ as single-use and disposable vape ban looms
- Vapers urged ‘Don’t Bin the Battery’
Fears of refuse trucks and waste centre fires caused by vapes has grown, as owners are set to bin their battery incorrectly following the ban on their sale from 1 June, new research shows.
Research1 surveying 1,003 disposable vape owners by consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First reveals almost three in five (58%) plan on disposing of their vapes in their household’s general waste or recycling bin, prompting fears of further fires in refuse trucks and waste centres.
Worryingly, over two thirds (71%) admit they are aware2 that improper disposal of vapes can cause fires in refuse trucks and waste centres, yet most still plan on disposing of them incorrectly anyway. Meanwhile, nearly 30% of respondents were not aware3 of the risks.
The findings come the same week a nationwide ban on disposable vapes is set to be introduced.
Safe disposal of batteries
Single-use and disposable vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, which if damaged can create explosive and highly toxic fires.
However, the incorrect disposal of these vapes in the general waste system can cause bigger issues.
When your general rubbish or recycling is collected, vapes are often crushed, compacted, punctured or soaked in liquids.
This can cause the batteries within them to overheat or ignite, leading to fires that put workers at risk, risking millions of pounds worth of damage and disruption to waste services.
Even if they do not start a fire, damaged batteries release harmful chemicals and materials that can damage the environment if not recycled responsibly.
“With the ban on disposable vapes fast approaching, we’re urging people not to bin the battery,” Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, commented. “These devices contain lithium-ion batteries that can explode or catch fire if damaged, creating a ticking time bomb that puts workers and communities at serious risk. The safest option is to recycle them properly. You can recycle them at any retailer that sells them or at a local recycling centre that has dedicated facilities.”
Widespread issue across the country
The incorrect disposal of vapes has already caused fires in refuse trucks and waste centres across the country.
The contents of a bin lorry caught fire in Slough earlier this month, which meant the crew had to dump around five tonnes of rubbish already collected in the middle of the road to ensure the fire did not engulf the whole vehicle. The fire, which was caused by the incorrect disposal of a vape, resulted in substantial damage to the vehicle.
In a similar incident, two tonnes of rubbish had to be dumped by a bin lorry in East Yorkshire in January after it caught fire. A fire also broke out at a waste centre in Manchester in April which was attended by four fire engines to get under control. Both incidents were caused by the incorrect disposal of a vape.
As part of its campaign to tackle fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, Electrical Safety First is also calling for better, more prominent markings on batteries to make it clear they are not suitable for disposal in the general waste bin.
How to recycle your vapes safely
There are a number of options when it comes to recycling your vapes safely.
- Recycle it in store: All retailers that sell vapes in the UK must take back your old one to recycle.
- A council collection: Some councils collect electrical devices for recycling. Contact your council or check their website.
- At your local recycling centre: Many household waste and recycling centres have facilities for electricals and batteries. If your product has a removable battery, recycle it separately.
For more information and to find your nearest electrical recycling point, visit Recycle Your Electricals.
ENDS
- The research was conducted by Censuswide with 1,003 UK respondents who own a disposable vape (aged 18+) between 22.05.2025 - 27.05.2025. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.
- ‘Somewhat aware’ and ‘Very aware’ answers combined.
- ‘Not particularly aware’ and ‘Not at all aware’ answers combined.