WEEE Ireland Launches ‘Never Bin Vapes – Always Recycle’ Campaign to Boost Vape Recycling
May 19, 2026
Only 1.4million of the 25million vapes sold last year in counties covered by Ireland’s largest e-waste recycling scheme, were returned for recycling, new data shows.
An alarming 23.6million were simply thrown away or dumped in household bins, according to new figures from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland – with the lithium batteries, electrical parts and plastic they contain lost forever.
Despite a vast network of free take back facilities, just 6 per cent of used vape and e-cigarette devices were returned for recycling in the 20 counties in which it operates.
It also warned that the true scale of careless vape disposal in Ireland may be higher due to illegal vape imports and unregulated sellers.
To confront the issue, WEEE Ireland has launched a ‘Never Bin Vapes’ public awareness campaign, urging consumers to take responsibility for recycling disposable and rechargeable vapes correctly through the not-for-profit organisation’s free take-back network.
“Our research shows a concerning low awareness of correct vape disposal and that vapes are part of the free e-waste and battery takeback system,” said Leo Donovan, CEO.
“As a result, millions of devices containing batteries, electrical components and plastics are ending up in the wrong places every year, despite knowledge of the serious environmental and fire risks.
“Responsibility sits with every vape user to dispose of these products correctly and safely after use. Recycling them for free has never been easier, with thousands of WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes available at supermarkets, newsagents, electrical retailers and local authority recycling centres nationwide.”
New research it commissioned found that while 9 in 10 adults understand that battery powered devices incorrectly thrown into household bins can be damaged in bin trucks or recycling facilities, causing fires, awareness drops sharply when it comes to vapes.
Only 5 in 10 adults recognise that incorrectly disposed vapes pose the same fire risk, falling further to just 4 in 10 among younger adults aged 18-30.
The Empathy Research study also found that half of 18 to 30 year olds believe vapes can be thrown into general household waste or recycling bins, compared to just a fifth of those aged 56 and over.
“These devices contain critical raw materials such as lithium, copper and cobalt that can be recovered and reused in manufacturing, supporting the circular economy,” said Mr Donovan.
“When thrown in the bin those valuable resources are lost forever.
“There is also a very real fire risk if battery powered products such as vapes become crushed or damaged during waste collection and processing.”
WEEE Ireland’s Never Bin Vapes campaign encourages consumers to recycle all disposable and rechargeable vapes for free wherever they see WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes, available in thousands of locations nationwide.
The initiative comes at a critical moment for the sector, with regulations banning disposable single use vapes and further regulation of vape retailers expected in the coming months.