Disposing of E-Cigarettes: Study Reveals Widespread Misunderstandings in Ireland

According to a new study by the European Recycling Platform (ERP), one in every ten individuals in Ireland now claims to use electronic cigarettes.

A study conducted in May surveyed approximately 1,000 adults aged 18 and over online, and found that the number of active e-cigarette users in Ireland may be close to 500,000, as one in ten respondents claimed to use an e-cigarette.

The study also found that currently 42% of vapers mistakenly believe that used e-cigarettes can be disposed of in regular trash cans.

Approximately 24% of current e-cigarette users mistakenly believe that e-cigarette waste can be disposed of in household recycling bins.

Only 23% of current consumers correctly believe that e-cigarette waste should be sent to a recycling center, while 13% believe it should be returned to the e-cigarette retailer.

An official statement from ERP indicates that approximately 66% of consumers mishandle their e-cigarettes, posing "health and safety risks while missing out on opportunities to protect and improve the environment.

According to the ERP, electronic cigarette products contain electronic components and lithium-ion batteries that require safe disposal when they become waste.

When damaged, short-circuited, or overheated, these batteries have the potential to catch fire, posing a risk to the health and safety of waste collection workers and others.

The newly emerged issue is that electronic cigarettes contain a complex mixture of key raw materials such as cobalt, nickel and manganese, which can be reused.

According to ERP, the circular economy provides us with an opportunity to consume fewer resources and extend the lifespan of resources by converting more waste into resources and keeping them within the supply chain.

Martin Tobin, CEO of ERP Ireland, has stated that electronic cigarette waste is a "new emerging problem" due to the rapidly increasing popularity of vaping in Ireland. While vaping devices contain batteries and other recyclable materials, a significant portion of users currently have misconceptions about how to properly dispose of them. To address this issue, ERP Ireland is offering free collection of these devices through their battery collection network.

The ERP battery recycling bins are located at local supermarkets or recycling centers near you. E-cigarette and vaping suppliers are also required to accept these products for recycling and must do so on a one-to-one basis.

Reference:

New research indicates that 1 in 10 adults are currently using vaping devices.