WORCESTER people can now recycle their vapes at local household recycling centre in a bid to reduce the amount ending up in black bins.
Material Focus released research last year showing that 5million vapes are disposed each week in the UK and only 17 per cent said they recycle their vapes.
Vapes contain valuable materials including a total of 10 tonnes of lithium, is recycled that is enough to produce batteries for 1200 electric vehicles.
Coun Emma Stokes, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Like any other electrical item with a plug, battery or cable, vapes should never be binned and always recycled, but there is a lot of confusion for residents as vapes are labelled and marketed as ‘disposable’ so they believe that they should go into the black bin once used.
“Not only do they contain materials such as lithium and copper that can be easily recycled, but they can also cause fires in collection vehicles and recycling facilities.”
