The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has published a new guide to sustainable vaping.
The ‘Greenprint for Sustainable Vaping’ comes following an industry wide consultation and was developed with input from those in the waste industry, regulators, the retail sector, vape manufacturers and experts in consumer behaviour.
The environmental action list covers retail, consumers, product design, waste infrastructure and regulations.
On the retail side, the list suggests that point-of-sale posters to be used in store to inform vape customers that used devices should be recycled and not thrown away; better training for retail staff be implemented so they can properly advise customers about recycling options and informing vapers that refillable, multi-use devices are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than single use systems.
It also advises retailers to provide in-store collection points for all used vape devices brought in for disposal (not just those products purchased from their particular store) and encourage people to use them, and that they be prominently located with no obligations for those dropping off devices to buy more.
The UKVIA also called for the legislation to be changed to increase maximum tank sizes from 2ml to 10ml to reduce waste.
Director general of the UKVIA, John Dunne, said: “Whilst entry-level single use devices are responsible for record numbers of adult smokers switching to vaping due their ease of use and convenience, the industry realises that much more must be done to safeguard against their impact on the environment. The fact is that disposables have been around for a while but have become hugely popular in the last couple of years, particularly with those on low incomes who are amongst the most prevalent smokers.“The Greenprint aims to mobilise environmental action to support a sustainable vaping sector in the future. It covers the development of recycling infrastructure which is fit for the vaping industry, new vape innovations that make products more recyclable and reusable, as well as the support that needs to be put in place to encourage greater retailer and consumer participation in the environmentally-conscious disposal of vape products.”
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