Did you know you can recycle vapes at Derbyshire County Council’s household waste recycling centres?
Every week, vapers in the UK throw away 1 million single use vapes in household and public waste bins. That works out at two per second. It’s bad for the environment and it’s a waste of the precious metals they contain like steel, aluminium, copper and lithium, the supplies of which are limited. And then there’s the plug, battery and cable which goes to waste too.
The good news is that vapes can now be recycled thanks to advances in technology and collected at each of the county council’s household waste recycling centres ready to be carefully broken down to recover the materials.
As well as being better for the environment, it’s safer to dispose of used vapes at recycling centres as they can become a fire hazard when thrown in the bin at home.
This is because the lithium batteries they contain can ignite if accidentally crushed when being transported in waste vehicles.
As a result, specialist recycling bins have been introduced at all the recycling centres to encourage the safe and efficient recycling of vapes.
Deputy Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Simon Spencer said:
“The growth in popularity of vapes means huge volumes are being thrown away and we want to encourage more safe and effective collection and recycling of them.
“Waste companies are becoming increasingly concerned about the risk of vapes igniting in waste vehicles and waste processing facilities.
“That’s why specialist bins have been introduced at all of our household waste recycling centres so that people who use vapes can dispose of them safely and responsibly, in the knowledge that they will be recycled.”
Both the plastic and battery components in vapes are recycled as are the precious metals. The recovered lithium can be used for batteries for electric cars or in the manufacture of mobile phones.
Other electricals including kettles, lamps, laptops and fridges can be recycled at the county council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres, open seven days a week.
Residents can also visit recycling vapes at www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk
and put in their post code to find other places where vapes and other electricals can be recycled.
For those looking for support to quit vaping visit our Live Life Better Derbyshire page.
Comments