Recycling Concerns Raised as E-Cigarettes Increase in Popularity
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 - 08:48:54
While smoking may be declining, a new trend for vaping is quickly gaining traction both in the UK and internationally, with people of all ages choosing to use electronic cigarettes which are powered by battery rather than ignited in a traditional manner.
The Guardian reports that this is not just something which is causing concern amongst healthcare professionals but also in relation to the waste that is being generated as this habit proliferates.
Almost half of the e-cigarettes available at the moment are considered to be single-use, meaning that once they have fulfilled their purposes, they will typically be discarded in general waste - partly because there are not adequate recycling solutions in place to cope with them.
Like old mobile phones, e-cigarettes contain batteries and other electronic components that are made up of materials which could be environmentally problematic if disposed of improperly.
Littering was a concern with traditional tobacco products but is arguably much more pertinent when it comes to single-use e-cigs.
With the industry generating almost £5 billion in sales last year, this problem is only going to get worse, and experts are arguing that governments and regulators need to do more to ensure that the waste it generates is collected and recycled.
Even e-cigs which are technically reusable still rely on products and packaging which are neither reusable nor recyclable under current conditions.
Furthermore, because they are electronic, these devices need to be collected and processed as part of e-waste disposal and recycling efforts, which for the time being have yet to catch up with the rise in vaping as a trend.
Old and young alike are being enticed by vaping, which was originally conceived as a healthier alternative to smoking and a means of encouraging existing smokers to give up the habit. The unsustainable side effects of this fad could create a scandal now they are getting mainstream exposure.
Latest News
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - 10:32:41
Every industry around the world has been impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and recycling has been especially affected as a result of force [...]
Read More
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - 21:33:36
Apple has pulled back the curtains on the all-new iPhone SE, bringing with it a raft of eco-friendly design features which aim to improve the green cr [...]
Read More
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - 21:32:00
Researchers from New Zealand have demonstrated a new recycling solution which could help companies to reclaim rare materials from smartphones, PCs and [...]
Read More