The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024
Overview
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 are introduced to address the growing environmental concerns surrounding single-use vapes. These regulations aim to reduce waste and promote more sustainable practices in the vaping industry by introducing measures to ensure proper disposal, recycling, and waste management of single-use vape products. The regulations reflect the UK government’s commitment to tackling plastic waste and environmental damage caused by disposable products.
Key requirements include:
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Manufacturers of single-use vapes are required to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their products. This includes implementing take-back schemes and ensuring proper recycling facilities for used vapes. Companies must finance the collection, treatment, and recycling of single-use vapes, encouraging responsible disposal by consumers.
- Waste Management and Recycling: Retailers and manufacturers must provide clear information on how to dispose of single-use vapes correctly. This includes labelling products with recycling information and ensuring availability of recycling bins in stores and public spaces. A new deposit return scheme is introduced to incentivise consumers to return used vapes for recycling.
- Reduction of Environmental Impact: The regulations encourage the design of more sustainable, reusable, or recyclable vape products. Manufacturers must ensure that their products are designed with minimal environmental impact, using materials that can be more easily recycled.
- Reporting and Compliance: Businesses are required to report on their efforts to reduce waste and improve recycling rates. This includes submitting annual reports on how much waste they have collected and how effectively it has been recycled. Regular audits will be conducted to ensure compliance with the regulations.
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 come into force on the 1st of June 2025 and apply to England.
Do the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 affect my business?
The environmental implications of these Regulations are broad and significant, particularly for the retail and manufacturing sectors:
- Increased Costs for Manufacturers: Companies will face higher operational costs associated with implementing recycling programs, take-back schemes, and waste management systems. These costs are likely to be passed on to consumers but will also help reduce long-term environmental liabilities.
- Operational Adjustments for Retailers: Retailers will need to adapt by setting up collection points for used vapes and informing customers about proper disposal methods. Businesses may need to invest in signage and staff training to comply with the new requirements.
- Reputation Benefits: Companies that embrace sustainability practices and comply with the regulations may gain a competitive advantage. Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that prioritise environmental responsibility, making compliance a potential marketing tool.
With stricter waste management, recycling, and producer responsibility requirements, these regulations aim to reduce the environmental footprint of single-use vapes. While businesses will face initial costs to comply, the long-term benefits of improved sustainability practices, waste reduction, and better brand reputation will help drive positive change in the vaping industry.
Do I need the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 in my ISO Compliance Register?
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 will impact the following businesses and sectors:
- Vape Manufacturers: Manufacturers of single-use vapes will be directly affected, as they are responsible for financing the disposal and recycling of their products. This includes investing in more sustainable product designs and take-back schemes.
- Vape Retailers: Retailers will need to adjust their operations to facilitate the collection and recycling of used vapes, which may involve setting up in-store recycling points and ensuring compliance with the deposit return scheme.
- Waste Management Providers: Companies specialising in waste management and recycling will see increased demand for services related to the collection and processing of single-use vapes, particularly as businesses seek compliance with the regulations.
- Environmental Consultants: Consultants specialising in sustainability and environmental compliance will be in high demand as businesses look for guidance on how to meet the regulations, reduce their environmental impact, and improve waste management practices.
If this includes your business then we strongly recommend adding the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 to your ISO Compliance Register.
Legislation related to the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024
Legislation related to the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 include:
- The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024
- Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016
- The Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Places (Scotland) Regulations 2006
- The Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
- Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005
More information
Visit the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 article on the legislation.gov.uk website.
Create an account in the ISO Compliance Register App and add this article to your Register.
