Waste management company Biffa has called on the UK Government to introduce kerbside collections for disposable vapes.
Disposable vapes pose a serious fire risk when thrown into general waste or recycling bins, as their built-in lithium-ion batteries can ignite if damaged or crushed during collection or processing.
There were over 1,200 battery fires in bin lorries and at waste sites in the UK in 2023, an increase of 71% from 700 in 2022. At Biffa’s own recycling facilities in the UK, there were 60 battery and WEEE-related fires in June alone.
In Wakefield, Biffa says almost 85 tonnes of batteries and electrical items were incorrectly placed in recycling bins during 2024/25. This led to 46 separate fires at the recycling facility in South Kirkby and five bin lorry fires.
Lithium-ion batteries, those found in many small electrical items such as disposable vapes, but also smartphones, e-bikes, and digital cameras, can easily overheat and ignite.
A nationwide ban on selling disposable vapes came into force in the UK on 1 June. Despite this, Biffa says it has seen a 7% increase in incorrect disposals of vapes across its material recovery sites UK-wide in June and July.
In Teesside, Biffa recorded a 24% surge in disposable vapes being incorrectly disposed of, with 232,500 being disposed of in recycling bins rather than proper disposal points.
Maxine Mayhew, Biffa’s chief operating officer, has said the UK is facing a ‘growing epidemic’ of battery-related fires in both bin lorries and at waste management facilities.
“Lithium-ion batteries, those found in many small electrical items such as disposable vapes, but also smartphones, e-bikes, and digital cameras, can easily overheat and ignite.
“We also believe kerbside collection of small electrical equipment, including vapes, would go a long way to manage electrical waste safely and significantly reduce fires impacting the industry, our employees, communities and individuals,” Mayhew said.
Last week, the WEEE regulations were updated to provide a specific category for disposable vapes.