£6,000 fines loom for vape takeback non-compliance ahead of disposable ban

Vape retailers face hefty £6,000 fines and potential prosecution if they fail to implement legally required takeback schemes for used vaping devices, waste management experts BusinessWaste.co.uk have cautioned.

This warning comes as the industry braces for the upcoming June 1st ban on disposable vapes, a move that is already reshaping customer behaviour but not necessarily curbing vaping itself.

While the impending ban on disposable vapes carries a £200 fine for retailers caught selling them post-deadline (with further prosecution for repeat offences), a significantly larger financial penalty hangs over businesses neglecting their Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) obligations. Vapes are classified as WEEE, and any retailer selling over £100,000 worth of electrical goods annually – whether in-store or online – must provide a system for customers to return used devices.

For businesses falling below this £100,000 threshold, an alternative exists in joining the Distributor Take Back Scheme (DTS). This involves paying a fee, which covers WEEE obligations until December 31, 2026, and contributes to local authority recycling centres. These businesses must also maintain records of information provided to customers about WEEE disposal locations. Failure to adhere to either of these WEEE compliance routes risks the substantial £6,000 penalty.

The looming disposable ban isn’t leading to a mass exodus from vaping. Many users are reportedly switching to refillable and rechargeable vape models in anticipation. More strikingly, a survey revealed that 82 per cent of current disposable vape users are planning to stockpile their preferred products before the ban takes effect.

This shift, coupled with those who might use the ban as an opportunity to quit, could lead to an increase in the disposal of old and existing vapes. The scale of vape waste is already immense, with an estimated 582 million vapes heading to landfill annually. This is based on figures suggesting 13.5 million vapes are purchased weekly, with only 17 per cent of users disposing of them correctly, meaning over 11.2 million could be binned inappropriately each week.

“The ban on disposable vapes is certainly a step in the right direction. However, it’s concerning to see it hasn’t had the desired effect with many people simply stockpiling or switching to reusable models,” Graham Matthews, WEEE expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, commented.

The push for takeback schemes is critical due to the significant risks posed by improperly discarded vapes. Many consumers mistakenly believe vapes can be thrown in regular household bins. However, these devices contain lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and ignite if damaged or crushed – a common occurrence in bin lorries and waste processing facilities.

Freedom of Information data highlighted by BusinessWaste.co.uk shows a staggering 348 per cent surge in vape-related fires in the UK between 2020 and 2025, equating to roughly one such fire every 1.7 days. Beyond fire hazards, vapes in landfill can leach battery acid, nicotine, and chemicals from their plastic casings into the environment.

“While a reusable vape is still the preferred option, the lack of education surrounding correct disposal means we’re likely to see vape-related bin and waste fires continue,” Matthews added.

“Vaping is a habit that many people will find hard to quit, or are reluctant to attempt, so a better alternative is to focus on educating customers about the risk of improper disposal. With vapes technically classed as WEEE, we encourage retailers to inform customers about the correct methods for disposal and either provide a takeback scheme or offer guidance in accordance with the DTS.”