From 1st June 2025, the sale and supply of disposable vapes will be banned across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The government cites both environmental and health concerns, particularly the sharp rise in youth vaping and the vast number of single-use devices being discarded every week, but there's another danger that’s often overlooked: the fire risk.
We’ve written a lot about the risk of single-use vapes and the vape ban already, but in this guide, we will walk through how and where to dispose of used (and unused) vapes safely to protect people, property and the planet.
Why are disposable vapes being banned?
According to research commissioned by Material Focus, more than 8 million vapes are thrown away or incorrectly recycled each week in the UK. That’s a staggering statistic that represents more than one million vapes every day, and the UK government is looking to crack down on just how many end up littering our streets or in the general waste, leading to potential fire risks.
Each vape that gets discarded after a single use contains a Lithium-ion battery and plastic, both of which can be recycled but require specialist facilities to sort and recycle them. Many discarded vapes don’t end up at these specialist facilities; . they are simply tossed into the nearest bin.
The London Fire Brigade recently reported that they have responded to 41 incidents related specifically to vape fires between 2020 and 2024, while waste workers are also reporting more incidents inside their vehicles as a result of improper disposal.
Alongside the environmental impacts of single-use vape disposal are the health risks. There is a growing concern that youngsters are taking up vaping because of the ease of access, the enticing flavours and misleading health information due to the (relatively) small amount of research conducted to date.
The UK-wide ban aims to stem the tide of underage vaping and encourage those who do use vapes to take up the reusable alternatives, which would mean less damage to the environment (at the very least).
Why do disposable vapes represent a fire risk?
Single-use, also known as disposable vapes, represent a fire risk because inside each one is a Lithium-ion battery.
These small, but incredibly powerful batteries, are the same kind of power source found in e-bikes, power tools and laptops, and are known to cause fires when damaged or improperly stored.
While you might think it must be difficult to damage or improperly store a disposable vape, the biggest fire risk comes after the device has been used. Here is the danger:
- The vape is used or discarded (perhaps the user doesn’t like the flavour)
- It gets thrown in the general waste or domestic recycling bin
- The vape (and the battery inside it) is crushed inside the bin lorry or at the waste facility
- The Lithium-ion battery goes into thermal runaway (a chemical reaction that generates rapid, extreme heat)
- This leads to ignition, explosion and toxic gases
In the last few years, fires inside bin lorries and at waste facilities have increased significantly, with many linked to vape disposal or Lithium-ion battery disposal.
How to dispose of vapes safely
There are two options for safe vape disposal, and it ultimately depends on whether or not the vape itself has been used.
- Used vapes should be taken to a local recycling centre, which will have a designated area for Lithium-ion battery products, or potentially vapes, depending on how quickly they have adapted to the ban.
Supermarkets and retailers may have their own designated vape bins where you can deposit your used vape, and these will be collected and taken to the dedicated facility for recycling.
- Unused vapes are just as much of a fire risk as they still contain a battery, flammable liquid and a pressurised chamber just like their used variants. These could be returned to the retailer or manufacturer if you’re taking the option to quit vaping with the introduction of the disposable vape ban in the UK.
Alternatively, contact your local council and ask them what their policy is for unused vape disposal so that you understand exactly what to do. You may even find that you prompt the council into implementing new policies.
Regardless of whether or not you have used the vape, you should never attempt to dismantle or destroy it yourself. The Lithium-ion battery inside is classed as hazardous when damaged and can lead to a rapid, uncontrollable fire in a matter of seconds.
What happens to all the disposable vapes?
When vapes are correctly recycled, their components are broken down and either safely disposed of or repurposed.
Correct disposal means that:
- Metals can be reclaimed and repurposed
- Plastics can be used again
- Batteries can be safely dismantled in the correct facilities
Unfortunately, the majority of disposable vapes are not recycled at the time of writing, and that means there remains a significant fire risk.
As the UK transitions away from single-use vapes, education around not only the health concerns, but also the safe use of Lithium-ion batteries and fire safety takes extra prominence.
The Firechief® Academy provide valuable information about Lithium battery fire safety as part of our fully-accredited CPDs, and as a wider business, we remain committed to raising awareness and providing the equipment that can mitigate the risk of all types of fires.
This includes Lith-Ex extinguishers designed specifically for Lithium-ion battery fires, and our LithShield® battery fire blankets, which are suitable for everything from vapes and mobile phones up to SUVs and battery storage facilities.
Disclaimer
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and, where necessary, to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.