Most single-use vapes could be recycled if they were collected and handled properly, rather than ending up in landfill or being discarded as littler.
The study, commissioned by recyclable vape company ANDS, looked at the performance of two widely available single-use vapes.
It revealed that between 97.6%% and 99% of a typical single-use product is either recyclable or recoverable, after taking anywhere from 90 to 210 minutes for the products to be fully dismantled.
“While there are some variations between the two products, fundamentally our analysis shows they both demonstrated a strong recyclability performance,” said Stewart Price, scheme manager at Waste Experts, which conducted the study.
The research, which was shared in a Houses of Parliament reception, comes as single-use vapes are facing intense scrutiny due to the estimated five million products that are thrown away each week. The problem has become so widespread that councils across the UK have been calling for them to be banned outright.
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Price continued: “All materials found in disposables that we examined except for the battery have recycling and/or recovery options within the UK. For example, laminated cardboard can be used in low-grade paper products such as drinks holders, whereas standard cardboard will be used as future high-quality cardboard packaging.”
“By highlighting that single-use vapes on the whole are highly recyclable, our study and experience of dealing with vape waste indicates that the real environmental challenge in the vaping sector is the lack of availability and knowledge of collection systems and recycling respectively, despite the waste industry being able to collect and process them.”
Because of the hazardous materials they contain, vapes need to be dismantled by hand, making the process both expensive and time-consuming.
“Designing products with disassembly at the end of the product’s useful life is hugely important in enhancing recyclability,” he said.
The report also stated that while there is “a lack of understanding” and a failure in most media reports to focus on how consumers can recycle vapes, there are also not enough collection and recycling points available.
