More than 6m vapes and pods discarded weekly in UK despite single-use ban, study finds

Number fell 23% year on year in 2025 but waste companies say recycling systems still under strain from sheer volume More than 6m vapes and vape pods are still being discarded every week in the UK, with waste management companies warning the sheer volume continues to strain recycling systems despite the ban on disposable e-cigarettes. According to research…

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• Number fell 23% year on year in 2025 but waste companies say recycling systems still under strain from sheer volume More than 6m vapes and vape pods are still being discarded every week in the UK,…
• According to research by the recycling campaign group Material Focus, the 6.3m vapes and pods thrown away each week in 2025 represented a 23% reduction from the previous year .
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• According to research by the recycling campaign group Material Focus, the 6.3m vapes and pods thrown away each week in 2025 represented a 23% reduction from the previous year.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

• According to research by the recycling campaign group Material Focus, the 6.3m vapes and pods thrown away each week in 2025 represented a 23% reduction from the previous year.
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Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

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• Number fell 23% year on year in 2025 but waste companies say recycling systems still under strain from sheer volume More than 6m vapes and vape pods are still being discarded every week in the UK,…
• According to research by the recycling campaign group Material Focus, the 6.3m vapes and pods thrown away each week in 2025 represented a 23% reduction from the previous year.