Over 80k vapes collected in county recycling scheme

More than 80,000 disposable vapes have been collected in a county-wide recycling scheme.

Vape recycling points and kerbside collection services were introduced across Oxfordshire in December 2023.

Authorities hoped it would stop vapes contaminating other recycling waste.

Since the scheme launched, over two tonnes of disposable vapes have been picked up across the county, according to Cherwell District Council.

About 60 collection points were made available in shops, bars and cafes across Oxford, Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington.

A kerbside vape collection service was introduced in Cherwell and Oxford, and large pink bins were also placed at all seven household waste recycling centres in Oxfordshire.

Once collected, the vapes are sorted and dismantled manually, separating their plastic, aluminium and lithium components.

They are then sent to approved recycling firms, according to Nigel Chapman, Oxford City Council's cabinet member for citizen focused services.

"This process not only promotes responsible disposal but also recovers valuable materials that can be reused," he added.

About 5 million disposable vapes are thrown away each week in the UK, according to research from recycling campaign group Material Focus.

Only 17% of people recycle their vapes in the correct recycling bins, the study also found.

Cherwell District Council said disposable vapes often ended up in litter bins or general waste, contaminating other recyclable materials and posing fire risks in collection vehicles and waste management facilities.

Waste-related incidents are on the rise across the UK, with more than 1,200 battery-related fires reported last year.

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