Council installs vape recycling bins at its tips

North Yorkshire Council has introduced the bins at 20 recycling centres

A council has introduced vape recycling bins at all of its rubbish tips.

North Yorkshire Council said the bins would be available at 20 recycling centres across the county.

Research from Material Focus and YouGov found that five million single-use vapes were thrown away in the UK every week in 2023 - the equivalent of eight per second.

The council's executive member for waste services, Greg White, said vapes were "not safe to be recycled or disposed of in kerbside bins or boxes at home".

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According to waste management firm Veolia, vapes and e-cigarettes contain various components that can be harmful if not properly disposed of.

A North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said most fires in the waste collection and recycling industry were caused by the lithium-ion batteries found in vapes.

"One incorrectly discarded vape could cause huge damage or serious injury," said White.

Under the scheme, the vapes will be dismantled and the lithium-ion batteries removed for processing while the metals and plastics are recycled.

White said coffee pod bins had also been introduced at recycling centres in North Yorkshire.

"These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to responsible recycling and reducing our carbon footprint," he added.

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