Sustainable Development and Recycling in the E-cigarette Industry

May.16.2023
Sustainable Development and Recycling in the E-cigarette Industry
The Vaper Expo saw e-cigarette industry leaders discuss sustainable practices and the importance of responsible recycling.

Special Statement:


This article is for internal industry research and exchange only, and does not make any recommendations for brands or products. Underage individuals are prohibited from accessing it.


On May 13th, 2FIRSTS London News Center conducted interviews with various electronic cigarette exhibitors at the Vaper Expo in Birmingham, UK. The interviewees emphasized the industry's trend towards recycling and sustainable development, indicating a growing consensus within the electronic cigarette industry on the importance of environmentalism and sustainability.


Flonq creates electronic cigarettes that are independent, detachable, and recyclable.


Flonq | image source: 2FIRSTS


Flonq is an electronic cigarette brand headquartered in Dubai that has released three products in the United Kingdom: a disposable e-cigarette, a pod-style e-cigarette, and a reusable e-cigarette with a detachable battery.


Reusable electronic cigarettes have already been sold in the EU and other markets. This brand has identified sustainability as one of its unique selling points, emphasizing that the design of one of its key disposable electronic cigarettes is to facilitate disassembly and recycling. With a simple twist, the battery and container can easily come out of the box.


Cardinal: Malaysia should learn from the UK. Cardinal is the first Malaysian e-cigarette brand to appear in the UK. Erwin, the head of the Cardinal brand, stated that there is a stark contrast between Malaysia and the UK's attitudes towards e-cigarettes and their respective regulatory situations.


Cardinal| Photo credit: 2FIRSTS


In contrast to Malaysia's laissez-faire attitude towards electronic cigarettes, the UK government views them as a means of transitioning from smoking and has thus implemented stricter regulations on the industry.


Erwin said that the Cardinal has a recycling program in Malaysia, but the local consumers are accustomed to throwing all kinds of garbage into the trash can, making recycling a problem. He also suggested that other countries can learn from the regulatory framework of the UK, despite the fact that the UK is implementing a long-term goal. In addition, he advocated that global electronic cigarette industry participants should learn from their UK counterparts in terms of product and battery recycling.


Gold bars: The sustainability of e-cigarette recycling.


Finally, 2FIRSTS interviewed Alex from Gold Bar, a multinational company formed by experienced e-cigarette practitioners from the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. In addition to prioritizing high-quality aesthetics and preventing underage e-cigarette use, sustainability is also a key aspect of Gold Bar's UK strategy. However, since they have only been in the UK market for two months, they plan to appropriately recycle their products.


Gold bar | Image courtesy of 2FIRSTS


Each brand interviewed brought unique products and emphasized the importance of sustainability and recycling for the future of the industry. This common emphasis signals a collective commitment to environmental responsibility, marking an important step forward in the ever-evolving world of electronic cigarettes.


Cover image provided by 2FIRSTS.


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.

BAT 2024 Results Summary: New Business Earnings Growth,Despite 5.2% Revenue Decline
BAT 2024 Results Summary: New Business Earnings Growth,Despite 5.2% Revenue Decline
Despite a 5.2% drop in reported revenue in 2024, BAT's organic revenue increased 1.3%, with new tobacco business profits.
Apr.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
KT&G Supplier ITM Semiconductor Posts $20M in Q1 2025 Heated Tobacco Sales, Up 5.6% YoY
KT&G Supplier ITM Semiconductor Posts $20M in Q1 2025 Heated Tobacco Sales, Up 5.6% YoY
KT&G’s supplier, ITM Semiconductor, posted $20 million in heated tobacco sales in the first quarter of 2025, up 5.6% from a year earlier and accounting for one-fifth of total revenue. Buoyed by rising demand for the Lil Hybrid 3.0 device, the firm plans to expand production capacity at its plants in South Korea and Vietnam.
May.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Insights|JT to Launch New Ploom AURA Heated Device Nationwide in July
2Firsts Insights|JT to Launch New Ploom AURA Heated Device Nationwide in July
Japan Tobacco (JT) has launched a new heated tobacco device, Ploom AURA, along with EVO sticks in three flavors. The device features advanced heating and Bluetooth support. JT plans to invest ¥650 billion in reduced-risk products and aims to capture 10% of Japan’s heated tobacco market by 2028.
May.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | GEEKBAR Launches Slimor E-cigarette in U.S. Featuring 32,000 Puffs and 0.89-Inch Round Display
Product | GEEKBAR Launches Slimor E-cigarette in U.S. Featuring 32,000 Puffs and 0.89-Inch Round Display
GEEKBAR has launched its latest device, the Slimor 32K, in the U.S. market. Designed for heavy use, the Slimor offers up to 32,000 puffs and features a 0.89-inch round display showing both e-liquid and battery levels. The device comes primarily in fruit flavors and is priced at $17.99.
May.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Eco-Friendly Vape Brand No Saint Launches in 500 UK Stores with Sustainable Products and Age Verification
Eco-Friendly Vape Brand No Saint Launches in 500 UK Stores with Sustainable Products and Age Verification
The eco-friendly vape brand No Saint has launched in the UK, entering 500 retail stores. The products emphasize material safety and age restrictions, with flavors designed for a more mature palate. The founder has raised $50 million for the brand.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Chinese Taiwan Cracks Down on New Tobacco Products with 710,000 Inspections
Chinese Taiwan Cracks Down on New Tobacco Products with 710,000 Inspections
Since revising its laws, Chinese Taiwan has conducted over 710,000 inspections and issued nearly NT$500 million in fines, yet gaps remain in regulating online marketing.
May.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai