Vape Recycling with Vape HQ: How to Dispose of Your Vapes Responsibly

Did You Know?

If you sell vapes (classified as a 'distributor' under UK regulations), you are legally required to offer a 'take-back' service. This means you must accept used vapes and vape components—such as pods, coils, and batteries—from customers for recycling. This includes single-use vapes returned after the upcoming sales and supply ban on 1 June 2025.

Read the official guidance here

Are Vapes Recyclable?

Many people mistakenly believe vapes cannot be recycled. In the UK alone, an estimated 5 million vapes are discarded every week—that’s eight every second! This waste contributes to approximately 10 tonnes of lithium, enough to power 1,200 electric cars.

A major issue is the lack of public awareness about proper vape disposal and the lithium-ion batteries inside them. Many businesses are also unaware of their legal obligations regarding vape recycling. At Vape HQ, we take responsibility seriously, and every one of our stores provides a free take-back service for all used vape devices, ensuring they are properly recycled.

Vape HQ’s Take-Back Service: How It Works

Recycling your vape with us is simple:

• Visit any Vape HQ store and look for our recycling tube marked “Recycle Your Vapes Here”.

• If unsure, ask a staff member—they’ll be happy to assist you.

• We also accept littered disposable vapes—collect them and drop them off at any store.

• All devices, whether disposable or rechargeable, are accepted.

• Once full, our recycling bin is collected by our specialist recycling partner.

How Are Vapes Recycled?

1. Collection – Used vapes are gathered from stores and sent to a recycling facility.

2. Disassembly & Cleaning – Devices are carefully taken apart and cleaned.

3. Material Separation – Different components are sorted for processing:

   • Plastic & Glass – Recycled into new materials.

   • Batteries – Extracted lithium is reused in new batteries.

   • Metal – Recycled for manufacturing.

   • Cotton, Filters & Nicotine Residue – Safely incinerated.

Currently, much of this process is done manually, but with growing awareness and demand, companies are investing in more efficient recycling technologies.

In addition to store recycling, many household waste recycling centres now provide vape disposal bins. Some local councils also collect vapes separately with household wheelie bins, ensuring safe disposal.

Why Recycle Your Vapes?

Recycling vapes properly has three key benefits:

1. Conserve Natural Resources

Recycling reduces the need for mining new materials like lithium, which is costly and environmentally damaging. Recovering lithium from vape batteries can save up to 72 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

2. Reduce Pollution

• Vapes contain plastic components that break down into harmful microplastics.

• Their batteries and circuit boards release toxic chemicals if left in landfills.

3. Prevent Fires & Environmental Damage

• Damaged lithium batteries can cause fires in homes, waste plants, and landfill sites.

• Safe disposal prevents these risks while protecting the environment.

All Vapes Are Recyclable – And Vape HQ Makes It Easy!

Now you know—vapes are 100% recyclable, and every Vape HQ store is ready to help you dispose of them responsibly.

Join us in making a difference—recycle your vape today!

Sources:

• UK Government Vape Ban Guidance

• GAP Group UK

• Eco Recycle UK