British media: Scotland discards 26 million disposable e-cigarettes every year. The Green Party calls for the launch of a national recycling program

British media: Scotland discards 26 million disposable e-cigarettes every year. The Green Party calls for the launch of a national recycling program

Scottish Green MPs warn that e-cigarettes are still being discarded into the environment on an almost "industrial scale" and a nationwide recycling program is imminent. Green MP Gillian Mackay called on the whole of the UK to act quickly to ensure that e-cigarette products are recycled. The local e-cigarette industry insists that measures are being taken to improve in-store recycling options.

According to Dailyrecord, Scottish Green MPs warned that e-cigarettes are still being discarded into the environment on an almost "industrial scale" and a nationwide recycling program is imminent. Green MP Gillian Mackay called on the whole of the UK to act quickly to prevent an "environmental disaster" and ensure that e-cigarette products are recycled instead of littering public spaces.

A Scottish Green health spokesperson said she was disappointed that the promise of a wider clean-up operation had not yet been fulfilled. The discard e-cigarette campaign raised awareness of the environmental pollution caused by disposable e-cigarettes, which waste plastics, metals and chemicals and pose a major fire risk in trash cans and waste disposal stations.

Gillian McKay said:

"We have proven that disposable e-cigarettes are not only a health risk, but also cause serious damage to the environment. But we have learned from the industry that up to 80% of e-cigarettes can be recycled depending on the brand. The process must be made as simple and effective as possible."

"Some responsible retailers already provide e-cigarette disposal facilities in their stores, but it should not be voluntary, but mandatory and widespread. E-cigarettes are being discarded on an almost industrial scale, but we can encourage people to recycle these waste products correctly by making the recycling process simple and even through incentives."

According to regulations, retailers must provide recycling services for disposable e-cigarettes, but research has found that many customers are unaware of the existence of these plans. Gillian McKay mentioned:

"The government should work closely with manufacturers, retailers and even local authorities to clean up our streets and parks at the source. Obviously, the public has the will to act and the political level has the determination to achieve this goal. So what is holding us back?"

At least 26 million disposable e-cigarettes are discarded in Scotland every year, and 8 disposable e-cigarettes are discarded every second across the UK, wasting enough lithium batteries each year to power 6,700 electric vehicles.

The local e-cigarette industry insists it is taking steps to improve in-store recycling options, including better staff training, more in-store recycling points and increased promotion of these facilities. But a study by recycling experts last year found that only a third of specialist retailers currently have e-cigarette recycling points, while supermarkets and convenience stores have almost no recycling facilities.