Dedicated recycling bins to combat disposable vape waste

In response to the rapid rise in disposable vape waste and the devastating environmental impact of incorrect disposal, North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has introduced dedicated containers at its reuse and recycling centres. 

Due to their complex material composition, single-use vapes are logistically difficult, labour-intensive and expensive to recycle. However, the brand-new bins will allow over two million north Londoners to recycle their disposable vapes sustainably and protect the precious materials inside. 

Recent statistics have revealed a staggering escalation in the use of disposable vapes across the UK, with five million being discarded weekly - up from 1.3 million in 2022. Over a year, the lithium batteries inside could instead power 5,000 electric vehicles.     

In addition to vapes, carpets, mattresses and polystyrene have been added as part of our specialist recycling offering. To learn more about single-use vapes and how to dispose of them correctly, visit our vapes page or go to our recycling centre locator to find your nearest RRC.