UK Vaping Industry Association releases sustainable vaping roadmap

Today, on April 28, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) released a comprehensive sustainable e-cigarette roadmap after consulting the entire industry.

The development of the green action plan involved participation from the waste industry, regulatory agencies, retail, e-cigarette manufacturers, and consumer behavior experts. Meanwhile, the industry is facing increasing scrutiny regarding the environmental impact of e-cigarettes, especially disposable products, namely disposable e-cigarette supplies.

UKVIA General Secretary John Dunne stated: Although entry-level disposable devices have led to a record number of adult smokers switching to e-cigarettes due to their ease of use and convenience, the industry recognizes that more work must be done to prevent their environmental impact. In fact, disposable products have been around for some time but have become extremely popular in recent years, especially among low-income groups who are the most common smokers.

"The Greenprint aims to mobilize environmental action to support a sustainable future for the e-cigarette industry. It covers the development of recycling infrastructure suitable for the e-cigarette industry, new e-cigarette innovations that make products more recyclable and reusable, and the support needed to encourage more retailers and consumers to participate in environmentally conscious activities for the disposal of vape products."

The environmental action checklist includes:

Retail

Using point-of-sale posters in stores to inform e-cigarette customers that used devices should be recycled rather than thrown away.

Providing better training for retail staff so they can offer appropriate advice to customers regarding recycling options.

Retailers informing e-cigarette users that refillable multi-use devices are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than disposable systems.

Retailers providing in-store collection points for all used e-cigarette devices (not just those purchased from their specific store) and encouraging people to use them.

In-store collection points should be prominently located, and those discarding devices are not obligated to purchase more.

Consumers

The industry will refer to disposable products as recyclable items rather than disposable products to discourage their single-use behavior.

Manufacturers and/or retailers will offer rewards to customers who recycle old devices.

Conducting public information advertising campaigns to normalize e-cigarette recycling, creating a sense of social stigma and peer pressure when discarding e-cigarettes.

Utilizing smartphone applications to inform e-cigarette users of the nearest e-cigarette recycling bins.

E-cigarette manufacturers and retailers will incorporate recycling guidelines and information into future promotional activities and packaging.

Product Design

Packaging should better emphasize to consumers that e-cigarette devices must be recycled rather than thrown away, for example, by using terms like recyclable or recycle me.

Exploring how to redesign disposable e-cigarette products for future use.

E-cigarette manufacturers should visit waste treatment plants to understand material flows and incorporate this factor into their product design to facilitate the recycling process.

The industry is looking for more environmentally friendly power sources than lithium batteries.

Waste Infrastructure

Setting up recycling collection facilities at usage points rather than sales points (e.g., bars, clubs, transport hubs, and offices) to make it as easy as possible for consumers to recycle used products.

The e-cigarette industry and waste suppliers should work closely to find viable long-term solutions for handling and recycling products.

The waste industry should design simple and easy-to-use e-cigarette recycling containers.

Regulatory Policies

All relevant e-cigarette businesses must comply with the 2013 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE Regulations); the 2007 Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations; and the 2023 Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) Regulations.

Manufacturers must either register with environmental regulatory agencies or join producer compliance schemes (depending on the quantity of products).

Appropriate regulations should ensure that manufacturers are environmentally responsible without preventing smokers from switching to e-cigarettes.

The regulatory framework should not only punish violators but also reward producers for their environmental performance.

Amending legislation to increase the maximum capacity from 2ml to 10ml to significantly reduce waste.