As of the 1st of June 2025, the UK government implemented a nationwide ban on all disposable, single-use vapes. However, vapes still line pavements up and down London, raising the question: how effective actually was the vape ban?
The short answer? Not very.
The vape ban had two main aims:
The legislation applies to all retailers, including online sellers, and forbids the sale of disposable vapes containing nicotine or not. Businesses caught selling them face fines of up to £200 per offence.
On paper, the ban looked like a win for both public health and the planet. In practice, however, manufacturers quickly found ways around it. As soon as the ban came into effect, manufacturers found a sly loophole to keep the cash flowing. The law targeted ‘single-use’ vapes, but many companies began selling slightly modified versions marketed as ‘rechargeable’ or ‘refillable’, even if they were effectively the same devices. Leading disposable brands like Elf Bar, Lost Mary, and Geek Bar have introduced almost identical reusable models, usually priced at around £5.99. A small charging port on the bottom was enough to dodge the definition, and customers were none the wiser, with the chargers and refillable pods needed for vapes to be reused hardly accessible in many of the shops selling these vapes.
For most consumers, this means the ‘rechargeable’ vape is still a single-use product in all but name. In fact, a review of 50 convenience stores and vape shops across London and south-east England revealed that retailers carry new reusable devices much more often than refills, indicating that customers are frequently purchasing the devices as though they were disposable.
Two out of five shops did not offer the cartridge refills needed for reusable e-cigarettes, and in stores that did, reusable vapes were stocked far more heavily than refill pods. Nearly one-third of the outlets continued to sell disposable vapes, often placing them in prominent displays, despite the new regulations.
Whether the ban has worked or not, one fact remains: disposable-style vapes are still an environmental hazard.
Many people are unaware that vapes contain lithium batteries and are classified as e-waste under the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations. As a result, it is required that batteries are disposed of at designated recycling and collection points. Recorra customers can use our dedicated Battery and Vape Recycling service, ensuring workplaces remain compliant with safe, clearly designated disposal points for vapes.
However, too many batteries are still being thrown into general or standard recycling bins. When collected this way, they can be damaged, cut, or crushed by machinery used in waste processing. If a battery is compromised during collection or at a waste facility, it can catch fire or explode, posing serious risks to equipment and human safety. In fact, batteries are the leading cause of fires in the waste industry, causing over 700 incidents each year in England.
While the vape ban showed real promise in tackling this wasteful practice, its impact has been limited by loopholes that allow producers to continue selling near-identical devices.
What we can do is focus on what’s within our control by ensuring these products are disposed of responsibly and that your workplace remains compliant through education and access to safe, clearly designated recycling systems.
If vapes are still being used on your site, it is crucial to recycle them separately in your Batteries and Vapes recycling stream to avoid health and safety hazards, such as fires on our collection vehicles.
At Recorra, we provide a range of battery and vape containers to suit any workplace, allowing you to safely store and dispose of these items responsibly. At your convenience, we’ll arrange for the collection of your batteries and vapes directly from your workplace, waste storage area, or loading bay.
Let us simplify your battery recycling process.
By Tara Vellani
