Vapers kicking the habit for New Year's could spark bin lorry blazes charity warns

Well intentioned vapers seeking to kick the habit as part of their new year’s resolution could risk bin lorry fires if they bin their device incorrectly, a charity is warning.

New polling of 1,000 people who vape across the UK by consumer safety charity, Electrical Safety First, found that more than 40% were considering quitting vaping as part of their new year’s resolution.i  

Now, experts are warning one well intentioned commitment to the New Year may have unintended consequences if vapes are thrown out in the household general waste or recycling bin.

Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, which can cause serious fires if damaged. This can commonly happen if they are thrown away incorrectly at home, and they make their way into the waste system and into bin lorries where they can be crushed and explode, igniting fires that put workers at risk. 

Of all vapers surveyed,  33% said they would dispose of their vape in the household general waste bin or household recycling bin if they were to quit, sparking further fire fears more vape batteries will  make their way into the waste system by being disposed of incorrectly.ii  

Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First said: “Every year many of us start the new year  with the intention of committing to resolutions, and now with many vapers considering binning the habit as part of their resolution this year, we’re urging people not to let a well-intentioned decision inadvertently put others at risk. Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries and if these are incorrectly thrown away at home, they can create very serious fires on bin lorries and in waste centres which endanger workers who are simply doing their jobs. If you’re considering kicking the habit this year, we’re urging you, don’t bin the battery. Instead take your vape battery to a dedicated recycling centre or to a retail take back scheme. One small action from you  can make a huge difference in protecting workers and reducing the risk of fire.”  

Of the 43% of vapers surveyed who were considering quitting as part of their new years resolution, 35-44 year olds were the most likely to quit iii.  

Data previously supplied to the charity by waste management firm Biffa, revealed the sheer scale of the issue as more than 840,000 vapes were found in just four of Biffa’s sites between June and September 2025 – an average of more than 7,000 every day. 

Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries which if punctured, crushed or damaged can enter into a process called thermal runaway, reaching dangerously high temperatures and causing ferocious fires.  

The charity is urging vapers kicking the habit to dispose of their device safely at either a dedicated recycling point which has the capability to recycle batteries safely, or at a retail take back scheme.   

How to recycle your vape battery: 

• Recycle vapes in store: All retailers that sell vapes in the UK must take back your old one to recycle. 
• 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. 
• Locate your nearest battery recycling facility: Visit www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk to find your local recycling point with the capability to accept batteries.