About Recycle Vapes
Recycle Vapes is the UK's information hub for making sure used vapes and pods are disposed of properly, so the materials and batteries inside them are recovered instead of being lost to general waste.
What this hub does
The hub brings together clear, practical guidance for anyone who wants to get vape recycling right. It explains how to store used devices safely before recycling, where they can be taken back, what the UK's waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) rules mean for vaping products, and what a compliant take-back scheme looks like. Alongside the how-to guidance, we publish campaign news, investigations and case studies that track the progress being made on vaping and the environment. Recycle-vapes.co.uk is also the home of Sustainable Vaping Week, the annual industry campaign that coincides with International E-Waste Day and asks businesses and consumers to take positive action on vape waste.
Who this hub is for
Recycle Vapes is written for adult vapers who want to dispose of used devices responsibly, and for the businesses that sell, distribute and produce vaping products in the UK: independent vape shops, convenience retailers, online sellers, wholesalers, importers, producers and brand owners with WEEE obligations. It is also a reference point for waste and recycling partners, local authorities, public health teams and journalists who need accurate information about how vape recycling works in practice.
Who builds it
The hub is created and maintained by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), the UK's vaping trade association. It forms part of the association's work on environmental responsibility and its Fair Deal for Vaping campaign, which calls for a licensing scheme that requires retailers to prove they have the right take-back arrangements in place before they can legally sell vaping products. The information here is reviewed against published data from Material Focus and guidance from UK regulators. If you spot something that needs updating, or you would like to work with us on a recycling initiative, please get in touch.