Sustainable Solutions for Disposable E-Cigarettes in the UK

May.14.2023
Sustainable Solutions for Disposable E-Cigarettes in the UK
Multiple eco-friendly solutions launched by e-cigarette companies at Birmingham Expo to address the issue of disposable e-cigarette waste.

Special announcement:


This article is intended for industry research and exchange only, and does not endorse any brands or products. Minors are prohibited from accessing it.


Recently, single-use e-cigarettes have sparked public concern in the UK due to their impact on the environment. Mainstream newspapers such as the Financial Times have reported on the issue of resource waste caused by single-use e-cigarettes. Despite their appeal in terms of portability and convenience, the disposable nature of these devices has led to a significant amount of waste and resource depletion. To address this issue, manufacturers are taking green action plans to promote the sustainable development of the e-cigarette industry.


On May 13th, the 2FIRSTS London News Centre learned at the Birmingham Electronic Cigarette Exhibition in the UK that several well-known companies presenting at the event unveiled their environmental protection plans. These included a complete recycling system by Smoore and YOOZ, ELUX's Recovery Bucket, and Flonq's recyclable electronic cigarette device, Flonq Plus-E.


Simor Alliance and Yueke launch a full-cycle recycling system.


At an electronic cigarette exhibition in Birmingham, UK, Smoore announced its partnership with client Yooz to launch the first-ever comprehensive end-to-end recycling system for disposable products worldwide. The system involves the participation of manufacturers, brand owners, retailers, consumers, and compliance processing agencies. Consumers can use express delivery companies or retail stores to recycle used disposable products and receive corresponding benefits. Moreover, the professional recycling agency collaborating with Smoore will provide environmentally friendly solutions that involve 100% deconstruction and zero landfill. Smoore stated that this system can greatly reduce the environmental impact of disposable products and achieve sustainable development in the industry.


Smorrow Exhibit Booth | Image Source: 2FIRSTSELUX plans to invest in 200,000 recycling bins.


Onsite employees from ELUX informed 2FIRSTS at the Birmingham exhibition that the company plans to introduce an eco-friendly program to address the environmental impact of disposable electronic cigarettes.


According to reports, ELUX has designed special recycling bins and plans to place 200,000 of them in e-cigarette stores throughout the UK this year, specifically for the purpose of recycling disposable e-cigarette products (regardless of brand), which will then be transported to Indonesia for processing. In addition, ELUX staff have stated that for every e-cigarette collected, they will donate 0.1 US dollars to charity.


Caption: ELUX Recycling Bin | Photo Source: 2FIRSTS The above caption describes an ELUX recycling bin and credits the photo source as 2FIRSTS.


Flonq has launched a recyclable electronic cigarette device, Flonq Plus-E.


At the exhibition, Flonq launched its first recyclable electronic cigarette device, the Flonq Plus-E. The device can be easily disassembled for recycling after use. Its unique design includes a detachable battery located at the bottom and a patented child lock system to prevent unauthorized use by children and teenagers.


Recyclable device Flonq Plus-E | Image source: 2FIRSTS


Cover Image: Photograph by 2FIRSTS.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
China Tobacco International (HK) reported a 26.9% revenue decline in H1 2026, while gross profit fell only 9.5%, revealing sharp divergence across its businesses. Tobacco leaf imports contracted, while leaf exports and Brazil operations expanded strongly. Cigarette exports faced China duty-free market transition, and new tobacco products remained small. Meanwhile, CTIHK continues to strengthen its role as an investment and financing platform, though major external deals have yet to emerge. 2Firsts examines what these shifts mean for its next growth drivers.
Capital Markets
Aug.24
How Large Is France’s Off-Channel Tobacco Market? Logista Says It Has Become Structural, While the Official Estimate Is 17.7% and Some Industry Studies Put It Above 50%
How Large Is France’s Off-Channel Tobacco Market? Logista Says It Has Become Structural, While the Official Estimate Is 17.7% and Some Industry Studies Put It Above 50%
Logista France says tobacco consumption outside France’s official tobacconist network has become a large and structural market phenomenon, but official and industry estimates differ sharply. France’s TAFE study estimates that 17.7% of tobacco consumption escaped domestic taxation in 2023, with most of that volume attributed to cross-border purchasing rather than street sales. Some industry studies use broader off-channel definitions and put the figure above 50%. Meanwhile, French Customs seized 547.94 tonnes of tobacco in 2025, up 12%, showing continued pressure from illicit trade.
Sep.04
Italy and Greece Oppose Ireland’s Nicotine Product Bill, Raising EU Regulatory Concerns
Italy and Greece Oppose Ireland’s Nicotine Product Bill, Raising EU Regulatory Concerns
Italy and Greece have opposed Ireland’s proposed nicotine product regulations, arguing that the measures could affect EU market coordination and the free movement of products. Ireland plans to introduce stricter rules covering nicotine products including vapes and nicotine pouches, with measures involving packaging, marketing and sales controls. The dispute highlights differences among EU member states between stronger public health protections and maintaining regulatory consistency within the bloc’s single market.
Jul.29
Australia Brings in Deloitte to Support Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Across Data, Processes and Project Delivery
Australia Brings in Deloitte to Support Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Across Data, Processes and Project Delivery
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has hired Deloitte to provide data analytics, business-process, communications and project-delivery support to the Office of the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner. The government says Deloitte personnel do not provide policy advice to the Commissioner or the Australian government, with policy development and decision-making remaining with public officials. The arrangement has nevertheless drawn scrutiny because Deloitte has previously provided professional services to several tobacco and vaping companies.
Sep.03
Australian Coalition Unveils Illicit Tobacco Plan With 80% Excise Cut and Legal, Taxed Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Australian Coalition Unveils Illicit Tobacco Plan With 80% Excise Cut and Legal, Taxed Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Australia’s Coalition has unveiled a national illicit-tobacco policy that would cut tobacco excise by 80% and create legal, regulated and taxed adult markets for vaping products and nicotine pouches if it wins government. The plan proposes an excise of A$0.50 per millilitre of e-liquid and A$0.025 per milligram of nicotine in pouches, alongside A$200 million in additional enforcement and a A$60 million three-year public-awareness campaign. The Coalition says the package would narrow the price advantage of illicit products and undermine organised crime, while Labor and public-health groups warn that dramatically cheaper cigarettes could reverse long-term declines in smoking.
Sep.03
Elf Bar Vape Explosion and Amputation Claim Spurs Coverage Suit, U.S. Insurer MUSIC Seeks Ruling It Owes No Duty to Defend or Indemnify Distributor i5
Elf Bar Vape Explosion and Amputation Claim Spurs Coverage Suit, U.S. Insurer MUSIC Seeks Ruling It Owes No Duty to Defend or Indemnify Distributor i5
Mesa Underwriters Specialty Insurance Company has asked a federal court in Washington to declare that it has no duty to defend or indemnify vape distributor i5 Distribution in a product liability case involving an Elf Bar BC5000. The plaintiff alleges that the disposable vape caught fire and exploded in his pocket, causing severe burns and ultimately requiring an above-the-knee amputation of his left leg. MUSIC is relying on a tobacco, nicotine or nicotine replacement products exclusion and a premises limitation endorsement. The court has not ruled on the coverage dispute.
News
Sep.10