Disposable Vapes Pollute Irish Town as Local Environmental Group Calls for Ban

The small Irish town of Trim Tidy Towns is calling for a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, as these devices are polluting the urban environment with 1.3 million discarded each week. The environmental organization Clean Coasts recommends proper recycling of e-cigarettes and e-cigarette batteries.

According to a report from Meath Chronicle on October 5, Trim Tidy Towns has recently called for a ban on disposable e-cigarettes. Clean Coasts reported that 1.3 million disposable e-cigarettes are discarded in Ireland each week, containing a significant amount of non-biodegradable materials. 

Brian Heffernan, chairman of Clean Coasts, stated, "Disposable e-cigarettes have become a major issue in our towns. We often find them in parking lots, playgrounds, and places where young people gather. Volunteers have to deal with these e-cigarettes every day." 

The newly established environmental organization 'Sick of Plastic Trim' is also focusing on this issue, raising awareness about the problem of single-use plastic waste to call for a reduction in plastic waste's harm to the environment. The organization's chairman, Michael Breen, expressed, "We welcome the government's recent ban on selling disposable e-cigarettes to children and believe this ban should be expanded. 

Breen also pointed out, "These devices are often discarded immediately after use, containing not only nicotine and plastic but also lithium and battery acid. Lithium is used in products like electric vehicle batteries, so discarding it is a waste. Disposable e-cigarettes have become a nightmare for local governments and urban management groups. They are difficult to recycle and should be banned. People can choose to use reusable e-cigarettes." 

According to Clean Coasts, 1.3 million disposable e-cigarettes are discarded in Ireland each week, totaling 10 tons of lithium discarded annually. Clean Coasts advises all users to properly recycle e-cigarettes and e-cigarette batteries and to stop throwing them in household trash bins. "You can dispose of these devices for free in the WEEE Ireland blue battery boxes, which can be found in most retail stores or your local public facility sites."