| Year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales (millions) | 12.5 | 38.0 | 95.0 | 180.0 | 312.0 | 415.0 |
The rapid rise in single-use disposable vapes has raised significant public health and environmental concerns. Sales rose dramatically since 2018, leading to a surge of lithium batteries and plastic casings littering UK high streets.
The UK Environment Minister noted that the proliferation of cheap, disposable vapes has resulted in irrational consumption and disposal patterns. Legislation, such as a possible ban on single-use vapes or an additional excise duty, is under serious consideration to correct this market failure.
Some major retailers have introduced voluntary in-store take-back schemes, offering discounts on new e-liquids or reusable vape kits to encourage consumers to recycle. However, small retailers suggest that most customers prioritize convenience and price over sustainability. With average real disposable incomes squeezed, sales of the more expensive, refillable vape kits remain low compared to cheap disposables.
Manufacturers of vaping products have criticized a proposed UK environmental tariff, warning it will increase retail prices for consumers.
The proposed tariff aims to penalize importers of electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries that do not meet strict recycling targets. Firms importing 50,000 or more single-use units annually containing non-recycled lithium parts will face a tax of £0.80 per unit. Importers utilizing verified closed-loop recycling programmes will be exempt.
Industry spokespeople warned that passing this cost onto consumers is an inevitable consequence of the levy. "This tax introduces fresh inflationary pressures across the supply chain, which will inevitably raise prices," said one representative. This tax affects both specialist vape retailers and convenience stores, harming a sector where small businesses rely heavily on the high margins of single-use items.
An estimated 5 million disposable electronic vapes are thrown away in the UK every week, leading to vast amounts of toxic chemical and plastic waste ending up in municipal landfills. This translates into more than 260 million disposables discarded annually.
Research from the Circular Economy Fund suggests that whilst a mandatory 50p deposit-return scheme on disposable devices increases the percentage returned for recycling by 8.5%, offering a 20p discount on future purchases for returning old devices has almost no impact.
A 50p deposit-return fee on disposable devices increases recycling returns by 8.5%. In-store educational campaigns regarding the fire hazards of lithium batteries in general waste bins increase returns by 2.1%. The presence of dedicated, bright recycling bins at exit doors increases returns by 3.3%, and distributing pre-paid postal recycling envelopes to heavy online purchasers increases returns by 4.8%. Combined policy measures achieve the most significant shift.
Discuss the likely private costs and external costs of the production of disposable vapes.
