Yes, vapes are recyclable including the rechargeable devices. That being said, they should not be put into household, business, or public recycling bins or general waste because they contain batteries, plastics, metals, and electronic components. A Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling point is the safest way to dispose of vapes, along with a Household Waste Recycling Centre or a participating vape retailer. By correctly disposing of vapes, vapers can help to prevent battery fires, which pose major health and safety risks for waste collection drivers and waste site operators. In addition, properly recycling vapes allows valuable materials to be recovered and reduces environmental damage.
Every year, millions of vapes are disposed of in an improper way, preventing valuable materials from being recovered and recycled and posing major health and safety risks. It is vitally important that vapers understand how to dispose of their vapes properly to protect waste workers, reduce the risk of fires, and to prevent recyclable materials from ending up in a landfill.
In this guide, we will explain where to recycle vapes, how to safely dispose of them at home, and what the UK’s disposable vape ban means for consumers and businesses alike.
Vape Disposal Statistics
The UK’s disposable vape ban has reduced demand for single-use devices, however, there remains a significant issue in the waste management sector. We found the following statistics since the disposable vape ban came into place in June 2025:
- More than 6.3 million vapes and vape pods are still being discarded every week in the UK in 2025, despite a 23% year-on-year reduction.
- Sales of disposable vapes fell by approximately 31% following the ban on single-use vape sales, which came into effect on the 1st of June 2025.
- Almost 47% of vapers remain unaware that their devices can be recycled.
- Biffa reports receiving more than 200,000 incorrectly recycled vapes in mixed recycling collections every month.
- The financial cost of lithium battery fires in the UK is estimated to exceed £1 billion annually.
- In 2026, only 8% of adult vapers say they mainly use disposable products, compared with 24% in 2025 and 31% in 2023.
- More than half of vapers admit to disposing of vapes incorrectly in household waste or recycling bins.
- 27% of vapers do not know that vapes require specialist disposal.
Vape Disposal at a Glance
| Statistic | Data |
| Vapes discarded weekly | 6.3 million |
| Adults mainly using disposables (2026) | 8% |
| Vapers unaware devices are recyclable | 47% |
| Incorrectly recycled vapes received by Biffa monthly | 200,000+ |
| Estimated annual cost of battery fires | £1 billion+ |
Are Vapes Recyclable?
Yes, vapes are recyclable. Nearly all vape devices will contain recyclable materials that can be recovered and processed through specialist recycling facilities.
A vape typically contains:
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Plastic casings
- Metal components
- Electronic circuitry
- Glass elements on some models
Since vapes are classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), they cannot be processed through standard kerbside collections like other household recyclable items. The most common and recommended way to recycle vapes is to place them in dedicated WEEE collection bins, which allows them to be separated into different component materials which can then be recycled and used in future product manufacturing.
| Question | Answer |
| Are vapes recyclable? | Yes, through WEEE recycling schemes. |
| Can you put vapes in the bin? | No. |
| Can you put vapes in recycling bins? | No. |
| Where should you recycle vapes? | Household waste and recycling centres (HWRCs), vape shops and WEEE points. |
| Are disposable vapes banned? | Their sale and supply were banned in the UK from 1 June 2025. |
How to Dispose of Vapes Properly
Take vapes to a WEEE recycling point, a Household Waste Recycling Centre, or a participating vape shop or electrical retailer to dispose of them correctly. Vapes must never be placed in household recycling or general waste bins, as this can cause battery fires and result in the recyclable materials being lost.
Stop Using the Vape
Once you have finished with the vape, ensure the device has reached the end of its life and will no longer be used.
Store It Safely
If possible, place used vapes in a separate container away from heat sources and combustible materials to reduce the risk of battery fires.
Do Not Put It in Household Recycling
Vapes should never be placed in:
- Mixed recycling bins
- General waste bins
- Separate plastic recycling collections
Find a Suitable Collection Point
Take the vape to:
- A Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC)
- A dedicated WEEE collection point
- A participating vape retailer
- An eligible electrical retailer
Dispose of Business Vape Waste Responsibly
Any business that generates a large volume of vape waste should use a licensed waste management provider to ensure it follows compliant disposal and recycling procedures.
How to Dispose of Vapes at Home
If you need to dispose of vapes at home, do not place them in your household recycling or general waste bin. Finished vapes must be stored in a safe container and then taken to a local WEEE recycling point, Household Waste Recycling Centre, vape shop or electrical retailer that accepts small electronic waste.
Where Can You Recycle Vapes?
There are several convenient options for recycling vapes available throughout the UK.
Household Waste Recycling Centres
Most local authority recycling centres provide WEEE bins for small electrical items, including vapes.
Vape Shops
Many vape retailers operate take-back schemes and provide dedicated collection bins.
Electrical Retailers
Large electrical stores are often required to accept small WEEE items for recycling, even if you are not making a purchase. You may also find supermarkets and petrol stations/garages that provide vape recycling bins.
Workplace Collection Services
Businesses can arrange specialist collections of WEEE and battery waste through waste management providers.
Can You Put Vapes in the Bin?
No, vapes should not be placed in either general waste bins or household recycling bins. Several problems can occur when vapes are being thrown away in general waste or recycling bins at home, including:
- Increased landfill waste
- Loss of recyclable materials
- Battery fire risks
- Contamination of recycling streams
- Safety risks for waste collection crews
Disposable Vape Ban Explained
As of the 1st of June 2025, the sale and supply of single-use disposable vapes have been banned across the UK.
The ban was introduced to address several concerns:
- Growing levels of vape waste
- Rising lithium battery fire incidents
- Resource waste from single-use products
- Environmental damage caused by littering
- Increasing usage among young people
Whilst the ban has reduced sales of disposable products, millions of used devices and pods continue to enter the waste stream each week.
Why Proper Vape Disposal Matters
Safety Risks
During waste collection, lithium-ion batteries can become damaged or crushed, which can potentially cause fires in the following environments:
- Bin lorries
- Recycling facilities
- Transfer stations
- Landfill sites
Resource Recovery
Most vapes contain valuable materials that can be recovered and reused, including lithium and other metals.
Environmental Protection
Correct disposal reduces pollution and prevents hazardous materials from entering the wider environment.
Are Vapes Bad for the Environment?
Yes, when disposed of incorrectly, vapes can have a negative impact on the environment.
In addition to low recycling rates, manufacturing vape batteries requires valuable raw materials that consume significant energy and resources during extraction and processing. This is why the proper recycling of vapes is encouraged.
The environmental impact ranges from:
- Lithium mining
- Plastic production
- Electronic component manufacturing
- Transport emissions
- Poor disposal behaviour
Vape Litter and Public Waste Challenges
One aspect of vape waste that often receives less attention is litter.
Many users dispose of:
- Stickers
- Rubber seals
- Product packaging
- Empty pods
- Damaged vape devices
These items frequently end up on streets, in parks and near public venues.
Which Are Worse for the Environment, Cigarettes or Vapes?
Both products have negative environmental impacts.
| Environmental Factor | Cigarettes | Vapes |
| Litter levels | Very High | High |
| Plastic waste | Low | High |
| Battery waste | None | High |
| Chemical pollution | High | Moderate |
| Resource extraction | Moderate | High |
| Recycling potential | Very Low | High |
From a waste management perspective, the key advantage of vapes is that many of their components can be recovered and recycled when disposed of correctly.
Conclusion
Whilst there is greater awareness surrounding vapes’ impact on the environment, millions are still being disposed of incorrectly each year. All types of vapes are recyclable, however, they should never be placed in household recycling or general waste bins due to the batteries and electronic components they contain. Instead, consumers should use dedicated WEEE recycling points, Household Waste Recycling Centres or participating retailers to dispose of their vapes. This helps with valuable materials being recovered whilst also reducing fire risks and unnecessary environmental damage.
