Listen: environmental crisis

The UK’s vape waste crisis is worsening, with new ‘big puff’ disposable vapes flooding the market ahead of a scheduled ban in June 2025.    These new products entering the market such as “big puff” have been designed by the producers to avoid the new regulations.

Research by Material Focus reveals a staggering 8.2 million vapes are being discarded or recycled improperly every week — a 37% increase from last year.

Improper disposal of vapes containing lithium batteries has together with other waste electricals led to a spike in dangerous fires at waste sites and bin lorries. Fire incidents linked to discarded batteries have surged by 71% in the past year, causing major environmental damage and threatening local communities.

Aston spoke to Scott Butler, executive director at Material Focus.