Vape ban fire fears as experts warn of 'ticking time bomb'
A nationwide crackdown on disposable vapes comes into force tomorrow. From Sunday, June 1, it will be illegal to sell the single-use devices anywhere in the UK.
The move is aimed at protecting the health of the nation, especially youngsters as the bright-coloured puffers with their sweet flavours have proved a hit with teens in recent years.
NHS stats from 2024 showed that nearly a quarter of children in the age bracket of 11 to 15 had tried vaping, and almost one in 10 vaped frequently. The new law aims to deter young people and children from turning to the nicotine products, which have been found to have serious health consequences.
The move is also aimed at protecting the environment, as almost five million vapes were littered or discarded every week last year, according to figures from Material Focus.
Many vapes end up in landfill or the incinerator, where valuable materials are wasted instead of being recycled. Littered vapes can leak harmful chemicals into soil, rivers, and streams, and contain lithium which can cause fires.
And the chance of fire has sparked a warning from experts who branded the devices "ticking time bombs" if they are not correctly recycled.
Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, and these can overheat and ignite when damaged or crushed. If vapes enter bin lorries or waste management facilities, they're at risk of catching fire.
Data shows that vape-related fires are on the rise in the UK, with a massive surge of 348 per cent between 2020 and 2025. And this can be caused by people simply chucking vapes in their bins at home.
Research from consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First found that this is the method that almost three in five vapers (58%) will use to dispose of their single-use puffers. But it is something that could see you fined up to £600 and potentially void your home insurance.
Even more worryingly, the survey discovered that 71 per cent of Brits know that vapes can cause fires if chucked away improperly but most still plan on doing that anyway.
In Slough earlier this month, a bin lorry caught fire due to a disposable vape and the crew were forced to dump five tonnes of rubbish in the middle of the road to stop the blaze engulfing the entire vehicle. Similar incidents have been reported in East Yorkshire and Manchester this year too.
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: "With the ban on disposable vapes fast approaching, we're urging people not to bin the battery.
"These devices contain lithium-ion batteries that can explode or catch fire if damaged, creating a ticking time bomb that puts workers and communities at serious risk.
"The safest option is to recycle them properly. You can recycle them through retail take back schemes or at a local recycling centre that has dedicated facilities.'
Although it may seem easier just to dump your disposables in the nearest bin, there are many different options for getting rid of them more safely
According to the team at Recycle Your Electricals, it can be as simple as taking your e-cigs back to the store where you bought them since all retailers that sell them must accept your old vapes, making it as easy to recycle them as it is to buy them
Many local authorities collect electrical devices for recycling, either with your regular collection or by special arrangement. Contact your council to find out if that is possible where you live.
You can also take vapes to your local tip, since most recycling centres have sections for electricals and batteries. If you are able to remove the battery, you can recycle it separately. If not, you can put the whole device in with the electrical recycling.
Smaller recycling banks also often have a spot for electricals. This could be at your local supermarket or shop, in a car park, or even at a designated roadside stop. If you know of one such bank close to you, check out if they have electrical recycling facilities.
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