UK Vape Waste Falls 23% From 2024, but Recycling Group Says Fire Risks Remain High

Key Takeaways

• Material Focus said more than 6.3 million vapes and pods are thrown away each week in the UK.
• That figure is down 23% from 8.2 million in 2024.
• The group said fires linked to vape and lithium battery waste have increased by 71% since 2022.
• The research found 47% of vapers did not know vapes can be recycled.
• It also found that 57% of vapers would be more likely to buy from a store if it offered vape recycling drop-off points.

2Firsts, March 27, 2026

According to new research from Material Focus, more than 6.3 million vapes and pods are still thrown away each week in the UK.

Weekly discarded volume fell from 8.2 million to more than 6.3 million, down 23%

Material Focus said the figure is down 23% from 8.2 million in 2024, suggesting that the single-use vape ban introduced in June 2025 has helped reduce waste.

However, the group also warned that the current level “still represented a massive waste of valuable materials and a major fire risk.”

Lithium batteries in vapes were identified as a continuing waste fire risk

Material Focus said vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, which can cause fires in bin lorries or at waste and recycling centres if they are crushed or damaged. The group said such fires have increased by 71% since 2022.

The report also said two of the UK’s largest waste and recycling companies provided information to Material Focus, and both reported significant challenges caused by the continuing high volume of vape waste in the system.

Veolia said it is experiencing about one fire a day in its vehicles and at its waste and recycling sites, a trend that has persisted for around four years and which it believes is likely caused by lithium batteries inside vapes and other electrical products. Biffa said it receives more than 200,000 vapes a month that have been incorrectly placed in mixed recycling collections.

47% of vapers did not know vapes can be recycled, while 57% prefer stores with drop-off points

The new research, commissioned by Material Focus and conducted by Opinium, found that 47% of vapers did not know they could recycle their vapes, while 80% said there was not enough information on how to recycle them.

The research also found that 49% of vapers said recycling their vape at the store where they bought it was their preferred option, and 57% said they would be more likely to buy vapes from a store if it provided recycling drop-off points.

Material Focus said many retailers are failing to comply with environmental regulations and have not put proper recycling drop-off points or systems in place. Executive director Scott Butler said stores profiting from vape sales have a long-standing legal duty to provide safe recycling drop-off points and cover the cost of doing so, while vape producers and importers should cover recycling costs.

Butler also said a new Tobacco and Vapes Bill is progressing through Parliament.  

Photo Source: Material Focus