The UK is facing a growing threat from disposable vapes, which are causing huge fires in refuse lorries and at waste processing centres. According to figures, an estimated six million vapes and pods are being discarded every week across the country.
Suez, a leading waste management company, has written to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) demanding a national campaign on vape disposal and a deposit return scheme for the items. Dr. Adam Read, Chief Sustainability Officer at Suez, warns that vapes pose a "ludicrous level of risk" to human life, facilities, and communities.
The fire risk associated with vapes is only getting worse, not better, due to the use of compaction units and shredders in the waste management process. These can cause the resulting fires to ignite within seconds and "burn out of control". Suez has faced almost 550 suspected vape-related fires in the last year, accounting for 80% of all fires.
In the first six months of this year alone, Suez had to put out 144 fires caused by vapes and batteries, a rise of 6% compared to the same period in 2025. Footage shows one fire in September last year, when a lorry carrying recycling waste caught fire in Greater Manchester, triggering a huge Fire and Rescue Service response and taking five hours to extinguish.
Vapes can cause enormous fires at waste processing centres, as seen in a large blaze involving about 450 tonnes of cardboard at a recycling facility in Widnes last month, which was declared a major incident. The government banned shops and online retailers from selling single-use vapes last year, but while the number of vapes being thrown away has dropped by 23% in 2025, it still sits at an enormous 6.3 million per week.
Dr. Read wants to see a national educational campaign to improve public understanding of the risks of incorrect vape disposal. Suez also wants the government to introduce a dedicated deposit return scheme for vapes, which would see an additional charge placed on a vape, refunded when users dispose of the e-cigarettes at a dedicated recycling point.
The government has already planned to roll out a deposit return scheme for single-use drink containers from October 2027. Suez also wants ministers to intensify a crackdown on retailers who market and supply illegal vape products undercutting the ban. Fire crews have identified seven lithium-ion batteries within the waste in one incident, highlighting the risk of fires.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has backed efforts to cut down on dangerous vape-related fires, saying lithium-ion batteries, like those found in vapes, are becoming one of the leading causes of fires in the area. A Defra spokesperson said they have taken decisive action to tackle the harm caused by disposable vapes, but acknowledge industry concerns about the risk of waste fires.
The government is considering potential interventions to improve the collection of waste batteries, including vapes. Suez has warned that vape-related fires are a risk to life and cost taxpayers more than £1 billion every year. With the issue showing no signs of abating, the government must take urgent action to address the problem.
