Vape shops across Kent ignoring safe disposal rules

KentOnline / KMTV

An investigation has found that many stores are failing to provide a "take-back" scheme, amidst growing concerns over battery fires.   Maisy Walker reporting.

Transcript

00:00Shops in Kent are ignoring rules requiring them to provide safe disposal services

00:05as concerns grow over the batteries causing fires.

00:08Inside a vape such as this one is a lithium battery

00:10and if this is not recycled properly it does pose the hazard of setting alight.

00:15Experts from Material Focus, a not-for-profit organisation focused on electrical waste,

00:21estimate that roughly 10 million vapes were thrown away in Kent in 2024.

00:25The whole risk kicks in when they go to the wrong place which is into bins,

00:31the bins at home, public bins, sometimes incorrectly recycled with other recycling

00:37so people think that they're doing the right thing but in fact they're putting something

00:40that ends up being dangerous because if it goes onto a waste truck or it's handled at a waste site

00:45and people aren't planning for vapes to be in there then it's very likely that it will be compacted

00:49and when it's compacted it could break the shell and that's when the problems come.

00:53So when the lithium cell is sort of damaged it comes in contact with air or water, it can flame.

01:00Across Matestone, Rochester, Gravesend, Tunbridge, Canterbury and Dartford,

01:06only five out of the 30 retailers inspected agreed to accept used batteries or vapes.

01:12Many said they did not have to take returns and when asked why, wrongly claimed they did not have to.

01:18In line with regulations, V&M Mobile and VX Exchange in Matestone were one of the few stores to accept used batteries.

01:26I spoke to some local residents to find out whether there should be more awareness around the restrictions

01:31and how often they recycle.

01:34As much as I can, yeah, you know, there is some occasions where, you know,

01:38I'm kind of in the middle of nowhere and I have to just find the nearest kind of bin or whatever

01:42but I do as much as I can.

01:44Another, it should just be banned, it should just be banned.

01:46It's just littering everywhere and causing hazardous things.

01:50It's just not good, not good.

01:52Because it's good to make the public aware about it so they can keep everyone safe,

01:55even those who vape about it.

01:56A spokesperson from Matestone Borough Council said,

01:59lithium batteries in waste bins create a serious fire and safety risk.

02:03Retailers selling vapes should have a provision for taking back used items

02:07and the Kent County Council Household Waste Recycling Centres will be able to accept these items free of charge.

02:14Like all batteries, lithium ones can be a fire risk if they're damaged or thrown away with general waste.

02:20Mark Gosselin from Kent Fire and Rescue Service said,

02:23it is advised for everyone to recycle them properly at designated collection points

02:28rather than putting them in the bin.

02:30It's important to remember that once a lithium battery hits the bin,

02:33the danger doesn't disappear, it just begins somewhere else.

02:37Maisie Walker for KMTV, Matestone.

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