Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue issue warning ahead of disposable vape ban
The ban on disposable products comes into effect on June 1st 2025.
Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue say they welcome the ban on disposable vapes but concerns remain over fire safety.
From Sunday 1 June, it will become illegal to sell or supply these types of vapes in person and online - also known as disposable vapes - after the ban was announced last year.
The government move, which applies across the UK, aims to tackle waste and the impact vapes have on the environment.
Tina Collett a Fire Prevention Team Leader with the Northants Fire Service says:
"Battery fires in bin lorries have been increased in and this is because the vapes contain lithium ion batteries and these can cause fires when they're crushed or damaged."
Figures from Material Focus show 8.2 million vapes a week are either thrown away or recycled incorrectly, while last year, there was a 37% increase in the number of vapes bought compared to 2023.
Stockpiling fears
Ahead of the ban on single-use vapes from Sunday new research says 82% of Brits are already stockpiling.
"The vapes alone just sort of sitting in a pile aren't going to do anything. But if they're exposed to heat by someone, using candles or somebody is smoking near the vapes, that ignition source, near the batteries in them could be dangerous."
According to the government, disposable vapes are usually thrown away in general waste bins or littered rather than being recycled.
Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, which have raised concerns over their fire risk when overcharged.
Tina says: "It's about how you charge that vape. So how is the lithium ion battery being treated? Has it been dropped or crushed or bashed? Has that vape been charged with an official proper charger? Or is it a cheap charger or a counterfeit charger? So it's it's really about the education and educating the public on the bits of vaping kind of that can can be a fire hazard."
The Fire Service are reminding us to dispose of vapes safely, as single-use vapes are considered small electrical items and should not be disposed of in your regular household waste. You're advised to either take to a Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) of back to the retail outlet you purchased it. Many shops now recycle them.
Ways to stay safe
Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue advise the following to stay safe when charging batteries in reusable vapes:
• Never leave e-cigarettes that are on charge unattended for long periods
• Do not mix components of different e-cigarettes
• Only use the charger supplied
• Ensure you purchase your e-cigarette from a reputable source
• Check the e-cigarette carries CE certification