Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), the devices which contain lithium batteries, plastic and electrical parts and are not being recycled in majority of cases.
In the 20 countries that WEEE operates, they found that only 6% of vapes are coming back to be recycled. They revealed that only 1.4 million of the 25 million had been returned last year.
WEEE's chief executive Leo Donovan said that their research proves the lack of awareness of correct disposal for vapes.
"Responsibility sits with every vape user to dispose of these products correctly and safely after use. Recycling them for free has never been easier, with thousands of WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes available at supermarkets, newsagents, electrical retailers and local authority recycling centres nationwide," Donovan said.
Donovan said that the devices contain raw materials that can be recovered and reused in manufacturing.
In 2023, the EPA estimated that only 42% of watse was recycled, which means the state is likely to miss the EU recycling target of 60% and be fined by the European Commission.
WEE has launched a ‘Never Bin Vapes’ public awarness campaign to urge consumers to recycle when they are finished with their disposable and rechargeable vapes.
Donovan has also warned users of the safety concerns surrounding the incorrect disposal of the device. Donovan warned to not throw vapes in your ordianry bin as it has the potential to cause fire.
“But when it comes to the vapes, the vapes also have a particular hazard in relation to the potential to cause fires,” he said.
“That's the key message we want to get out today; do not bin your vapes into your ordinary waste bin or your dry recycling bin that you have at home .Make sure you bring it back to a specific collection point, be it a battery recycling box. You see a lot of the wee Ireland blue battery boxes around; anybody who sells a vape or sells a battery has a legal obligation to take back that product free of charge," he continued.
