Newly-released UKVIA research on the level of investment into vape recycling facilities by local authorities has triggered a response of ‘disappointment’ online and in the media. The full findings of the research can be viewed here.
Following this, the UKVIA has issued this statement:
The UK Vaping Industry Association recognises the strong response to our new FOI investigation and wanted to clarify the intention of this research, as well as highlight our continued efforts to help address the sector’s environmental impact:
1. We are under no illusions; the industry needs to demonstrate the highest levels of environmental responsibility, but local councils also have a critical role to play in making vape recycling as accessible as possible for consumers.
As Material Focus highlights, the introduction of vape waste collection points in public spaces – i.e., parks – could greatly increase the number of people disposing of vapes through the correct channels. The industry doesn’t have the authority to put such facilities in place, which is why we are calling for a more collaborative, partnership approach moving forward.
2. The UKVIA is not a policing organisation – it’s a not-for-profit industry association which is regularly involved in critical discussions on how to best address the sector’s impact. We have also led several initiatives with the goal of encouraging those across the vape supply chain to meet and exceed their environmental obligations.
Last year, we organised the first ever environmental summit for the sector, published our Greenprint for Sustainable Vaping and launched the first Sustainable Vaping Week and our Recycle-Vapes.co.uk information hub – created to educate the industry on WEEE responsibilities and encourage consumers to recycle their used vapes. These initiatives are still in their infancy and we are determined to build on them.
We have also recently been involved in the development of a vape licensing framework, created to help usher in a new era of accountability for the sector. This was presented in parliament last month and, as well as addressing take up of vaping by minors and tackling the ever-growing issue of illicit products, is designed to ensure that retailers have a take-back scheme in place before being permitted to sell vapes.
3. While addressing the environmental impact of vaping is paramount, it’s critical we also recognise its power as a stop smoking tool – almost 4.5m adults have used vapes to cut down on or completely quit smoking in GB alone and the ONS attributes the role the category has played in reducing smoking to record low levels.
4. We regularly make attempts to engage with regulators such as OPSS and DEFRA – most recently, we invited both to be a part of our upcoming webinar on ‘The Future of Vape Waste Management Post-Disposables’: https://ukvia.co.uk/ukvia-to-host-a-webinar-on-the-future-of-vape-waste-management-post-disposables/
We encourage you to attend this session, which takes place on April 15th – we would be delighted if a representative of LARAC could also attend.
If we take one thing away from this research, it should be that we need all the players in the vape waste eco-system to be joined up and pushing in the same direction if we are to protect both the environment and the health of former smokers.
ENDS