Earlier this week, the BBC reported that Norwich City Council announced it is to be one of the first to debate the introduction of a £5 vape deposit charge, which would hopefully curb fires like the one seen in Glasgow earlier this year, and also the waste that can be caused by devices.
Although only at the very earliest stages of debate, the £5 figure was initially proposed by waste company Biffa, who stressed there would need to be a period of consultation before anything became official.
In light of the news, David Phillips (below left) from retailer Vape Superstore also shared his thoughts, including the issue of potential blocks to any new scheme, and the impact on stores and consumers.
Philips said: “A £5 deposit return scheme has the potential to improve recycling rates because, at the moment, a used disposable vape has very little perceived value. Giving it a financial value could encourage more people to return used devices rather than throwing them away or littering them.
“Any deposit scheme would need to be backed by highly visible, convenient recycling points if it is going to change behaviour…”
“That said, a financial incentive only addresses one side of the issue. Retailers are already legally required to offer a free take-back service for used vapes, but many consumers are simply unaware of it or choose not to use it. Any deposit scheme would need to be backed by highly visible, convenient recycling points if it is going to change behaviour on a meaningful scale.
“There are also concerns about the impact on consumers. Adult vapers are already facing rising costs, and adding a £5 deposit on top of the new Vape Tax on e-liquids could make products significantly more expensive at the point of purchase. Policymakers should carefully consider whether this could discourage smokers looking to switch to vaping.
“From a retailer’s perspective, there are practical challenges that would need to be resolved before a scheme could be introduced. For example, how should stores handle returns of devices purchased elsewhere or collected from the street? Retailers would also need safe facilities to store increasing volumes of used lithium batteries, as holding large numbers of these devices presents its own fire safety considerations.
“A substantial proportion of vape products are bought through ecommerce, so any deposit return scheme would need a practical solution for customers to return used devices safely, whether through a shared national collection network, local drop-off points or another suitable system.
“The principle of encouraging more recycling is a positive one, but any scheme needs to be practical as well as well-intentioned. Retailers should be involved in designing the system from the outset, as they are already part of the existing recycling solution and can help ensure any new scheme works effectively for businesses, consumers and the environment.”
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