Technological watch

>WRAP supports the Local Government Association and others in calling for a UK ban on disposable single use vapes, and the proposed Europe-wide ban on disposable vapes from 2026 - as outlined by the EU. We applaud France for introducing a country-wide ban by the end of this year and welcome the forthcoming Scottish consultation.

Disposable vapes consume huge amounts of natural resources, contribute to litter, and can present a fire hazard at waste facilities. An estimated 1.3 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week in the UK - two every second. These use an estimated 10 tonnes of lithium a year - equivalent to the batteries of 1,200 electric vehicles. Lithium is a critical material simply going to waste together with tonnes of unnecessary plastic harmful to wildlife and the environment, not to mention the greenhouse gases connected with their manufacture, and water. With reusable vapes readily available, there is no place for these throwaway options on our highstreets and far stronger eco design regulations must come into place to govern the huge rise in use.