Government urged to crack down on cheap vapes circumventing single-use ban
One year after banning single-use vapes, the government faces pressure to close loopholes allowing cheap, reusable vapes to be used like disposables.Summary
One year after the UK government banned single-use vapes, councils and waste management companies are urging authorities to tighten regulations. Vape manufacturers have circumvented the ban by creating cheap, reusable devices that are sold and used identically to the disposable models they replaced. Campaigners, including Material Focus and Biffa, highlight that millions of vapes are still discarded weekly, with many consumers unaware of recycling options. The Local Government Association (LGA) warns that these products are causing fires in bin lorries due to lithium-ion batteries. The LGA calls for a stricter legal definition of single-use vapes, mandatory deposits for consumers, and increased producer responsibility fees. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds acknowledges the progress made but commits to further enforcement and support for recycling schemes to ensure the ban is effective and safe.
(Source：Diss Mercury)
