Disposable vapes causing a fire a day at in the UK six months after ban
Waste companies report over one fire daily due to improper vape disposal, despite the recent ban on disposables.Summary
Major waste management firms in the UK warn that the incorrect disposal of vapes is causing the equivalent of more than one fire per day, even six months after the ban on disposable vapes took effect this summer. Suez reported 339 fires across its sites this year due to lithium batteries in vapes catching fire when crushed by lorries, posing risks to workers and equipment. Waste companies like Suez and Biffa note a persistent lack of consumer awareness, leading to many still throwing away devices. Biffa previously reported that 7,000 vapes daily enter their centers, and they observed an increase in all vape types post-ban. Spot checks indicate that rechargeable vapes are frequently discarded improperly, often because consumers find it easier to replace them than to recycle or find replacement parts. Authorities stress that consumers must recycle vapes at stores or recycling centers, as all vape retailers are required to take back old devices.
(Source：The Independent)
