Solutions for Disposable E-Cigarette Waste: Environmental Scientist Investigates

Sep.01.2022
Solutions for Disposable E-Cigarette Waste: Environmental Scientist Investigates
Katie Heath, Wardell Armstrong's environmental scientist, explores solutions for disposable e-cigarette waste in the UK.

Wardell Armstrong's environmental scientist, Katie Heath, has researched potential solutions for disposable electronic cigarette waste.


Approximately 7.1% of the United Kingdom's population uses electronic cigarettes, with a staggering 5 billion units purchased annually, of which 3 million are discarded each week. Electronic cigarettes typically consist of a lithium-ion battery, a tank, and a coil for vaporizing e-liquid, and are classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) under UK law when disposed of.


Currently, disposable e-cigarettes hold 50% of the e-cigarette market. The term "disposable" may suggest that these devices are as easy to discard as they are to purchase, but all small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) devices must be separately recycled, which is most efficiently done by taking them to a local recycling center.


Unfortunately, this information has not kept up with the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes, resulting in these devices being discarded with regular household waste destined for landfill or incineration. This issue also extends to small WEEE, which accounts for 8% of electrical waste ending up in household bins.


This is a serious issue that needs to be taken more seriously, especially considering that the growth rate of WEEE waste is three times that of the average growth rate of urban garbage. If the government hopes to achieve its goal of doubling resource productivity and eliminating avoidable waste in England by 2050, promoting a "disposable" culture among the general public through the use of "disposable" small electronic devices is irresponsible.


Small WEEE devices, including those containing batteries, contain various materials, some of which are hazardous.


These devices often contain rare and expensive resources, such as precious metals that can be recycled if properly processed. Poor management of these valuable materials can lead to the release of pollutants like lead, mercury, and cadmium into the environment, as well as the loss of precious resources to landfills and incineration.


It is estimated that the UK economy loses £370 million annually as a result of incorrect disposal of materials containing precious resources such as gold, copper, aluminium, and steel.


Improperly disposing of e-cigarettes (and other battery-containing devices) in household garbage can pose a serious fire hazard to waste management trucks and landfills. It is estimated that 48% of waste fires in the UK are caused by mishandled lithium-ion batteries, resulting in approximately 600 waste truck and site fires annually.


Despite batteries being required to be removed and disposed of separately, many devices, including disposable e-cigarettes, seal the batteries within the unit, making them difficult to remove.


On average, every European household hoards around 5 kilograms of discarded small electronic devices, resulting in a significant amount of valuable resources being effectively stagnant outside the circular economy. The recent surge in popularity of e-cigarettes provides a vital opportunity to explore methods of improving the recycling rates of small WEEE. To do so, manufacturers must ensure that devices are easily recyclable and consumers must have access to convenient and proper recycling channels.


A potential method to achieve this goal is to provide consistent roadside collections for small-scale Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and batteries, and to increase public awareness through strong campaigns.


Some city councils have recognized the success of providing roadside waste collection, but recently there have been calls for more councils to implement this service. Studies have shown that waste recycling can save up to 64% of WEEE, equivalent to approximately 99,000 tons.


In the future, it may be possible to further incentivize recycling by integrating valuable small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) into deposit return schemes, such as the one proposed for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which has already been implemented in Scotland.


As our consumption of electronic devices increases, the need for reliable channels for WEEE recycling will also increase, especially as demand for the limited resources used in their production rises. If we are serious about the circular economy, we must do more to empower the public to recycle their electronic products.


Disclaimer: 1. The content of this article is compiled from third-party information and is only intended for internal industry communication and learning. 2. This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the truthfulness and accuracy of the content. The compilation of this article is only used for industry communication and research. 3. Due to limited compilation skills, the compiled article may not fully express the same meaning as the original, so please refer to the original text. 4. For any domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or foreign statements and positions, 2FIRSTS fully aligns with the Chinese government. 5. The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any copyright infringement, please contact us for deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Ispire Reports FY2025 Q3 Revenue Down 12.7% to $26.2M; Secures Temporary Nicotine Production License in Malaysia
Ispire Reports FY2025 Q3 Revenue Down 12.7% to $26.2M; Secures Temporary Nicotine Production License in Malaysia
Ispire’s FY2025 Q3 revenue fell 12.7% to $26.2 million, with net loss widening to $10.9 million. The company is shifting manufacturing to Malaysia, aiming to cut costs by $8 million annually, and has obtained a temporary nicotine production license. It also filed a blockchain-based PMTA component with the FDA and launched the Sprout™ cannabis device with Raw Garden to grow its presence in emerging markets.
May.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Photo Gallery | 2025 Dubai E-Cigarette Expo Officially Opens, Over 300 New Tobacco Brands Gather and Showcase
Photo Gallery | 2025 Dubai E-Cigarette Expo Officially Opens, Over 300 New Tobacco Brands Gather and Showcase
The 2025 Dubai E-Cigarette Expo officially opened on June 18, with over 300 companies from around the world participating. As an official media partner, 2Firsts is on-site for the third time, providing in-depth coverage focused on exhibition updates, industry trends, and brand highlights. Exclusive photo galleries offer a direct look at the vibrant scenes from the expo floor.
Jun.18
Reuters: Tariffs and Crackdowns Drive Sharp Decline in U.S. Supply of Chinese E-Cigarettes like Geek Bar
Reuters: Tariffs and Crackdowns Drive Sharp Decline in U.S. Supply of Chinese E-Cigarettes like Geek Bar
Reuters reports that U.S. imports of Chinese e-cigarettes have fallen sharply due to high tariffs and stricter FDA crackdowns. Brands like Geek Bar face major supply shortages and rising prices, though demand remains strong. Some Chinese makers are moving production to Southeast Asia to avoid regulatory pressure.
Jun.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Selangor Government to Decide on Ban of E-cigarette Sales
Selangor Government to Decide on Ban of E-cigarette Sales
Selangor government to decide on ban of e-cigarette sales, citing public health and industry impact. Trend spreading to more areas.
May.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ukraine Cracks Down on Illegal E-Liquid Supply Chain Worth Over $30 Million
Ukraine Cracks Down on Illegal E-Liquid Supply Chain Worth Over $30 Million
Ukrainian law enforcement dismantled an interstate illegal e-liquid production network operating across Kharkiv and Lviv regions. Authorities seized 2.8 tons of nicotine liquid, 8.6 tons of glycerin, and 1.4 million units of vape flavorings, with the total value estimated at 1.2 billion hryvnias (approximately $31.29 million).
Jun.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Production|HQD Launches APEX With 1.47" HD Screen and 5-45W Output
Production|HQD Launches APEX With 1.47" HD Screen and 5-45W Output
HQD recently launched the open e-cigarette APEX, equipped with a 1.47-inch HD touchscreen with 5-45W wide-range power output, supporting three kinds of interchangeable cartridges of 0.4Ω, 0.8Ω and 1.2Ω, and adapted to MTL to DTL modes. The product has been launched on the brand's official website and social media, but has not yet landed on overseas distributor platforms.
Apr.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai