Ban on disposable vapes to come into force in summer 2025
24th Oct 2024
From 1 June 2025, it will be illegal to sell disposable vapes in the UK, a decision welcomed by environmental experts. The ban aims to reduce the increasing amount of waste these products generate. The reason for the decision is that disposable vapes have become a symbol of the ‘throwaway’ culture, and their negative environmental impact is a growing problem.
A growing waste problem
Disposable vapes, which contain plastic and batteries, contribute to huge amounts of litter. Every week, millions of vapes are thrown away in the UK. The batteries, which often contain lithium, also pose a fire risk at waste facilities and can lead to serious environmental problems if they end up in nature, where they release toxic substances that harm wildlife and pollute waterways.
A step towards a circular economy
The new legislation is part of the UK’s wider aim to move towards a circular economy, where resources are used for longer and waste is reduced. Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister, explains that the ban marks the end of the era of disposable vapes and is an important step in reducing the nation’s reliance on single-use products. By banning these devices, it is also hoped to stimulate innovation in sustainable alternatives.
“Disposable vapes are extremely wasteful and pollute our cities and countryside. This ban is the first step towards a circular economy, where we use resources for longer, reduce waste and create thousands of green jobs across the country,” said Creagh.
What happens next?
When the legislation comes into force on 1 June 2025, companies will have until then to sell their remaining stock of the products.
This ban is part of the UK’s wider strategy to tackle climate change and improve sustainability. Disposable vapes are just one of many products that could come under scrutiny as the country transitions to a more sustainable and circular economy.
