Vape shop owner calls for refundable scheme

Richard Morris from Salop Vapes believes vapes are not recycled properly because it is easier to throw them in the bin

The owner of a Shrewsbury vape shop has suggested the need for a refundable deposit scheme to stop people throwing vapes into incorrect bins.

Richard Morris, from Salop Vapes in Battlefield, said although vape businesses were legally required to provide a special bin for the items, they still were not being recycled properly.

He said people would be able to bring their old vape in and get a discount on their new one, meaning the old ones could be recycled properly.

He was speaking as waste management firm Biffa said the ban on disposable vapes was failing to stop millions being thrown away incorrectly. A spokesperson for the vape industry said a ban in June had been successful.

Mr Morris said everyone would have to join in for his idea to work.

Biffa has called on the government to introduce kerbside collection for disposal vapes following a surge in fires caused in waste facilities and trucks by battery and waste electrical and electronic equipment items.

Vape shops should provide customers with bins specifically for recycling, Salop Vapes said

Briony Bendle from Veolia Shropshire said lithium batteries often found in vapes, and electrical items should be disposed of separately from household waste.

"We know the general public are really keen to recycle these items, so instead of placing items such as vapes in your household waste… take the item back to a retailer that sells it," she said.

She added they could also be taken to household recycling centres.