Waste Management Insights

The dangers of discarding vapes incorrectly

Disposable vapes are increasingly turning up in commercial waste streams, particularly in skip containers. While it may seem harmless to throw a vape in with general waste, doing so creates serious safety and environmental risks.

At Bloomfield Resources, we want to highlight why vapes should never be disposed of incorrectly and how they should be disposed.

Vapes contain hidden hazards

Most disposable vapes contain:

• Lithium-ion batteries 
• Electronic circuitry 
• Plastics and metals 
• Residual nicotine and chemical liquids 

These components make vapes fundamentally unsuitable for skip containers. 

Fire Risk in Skips 

Lithium-ion batteries are highly reactive. When crushed, punctured, or exposed to heat, all common conditions in containers they can ignite or explode. 

This creates a significant fire risk: 

• Fires can start inside containers without warning 
• Waste collection vehicles are at risk during transport
• Sorting and processing facilities face increased danger
• Site staff and drivers may be exposed to serious harm 

Battery related fires are one of the fastest growing hazards in the waste industry.

Lithium-ion batteries are highly reactive. When crushed, punctured, or exposed to heat, all common conditions in containers they can ignite or explode.

This creates a significant fire risk:

• Fires can start inside containers without warning
• Waste collection vehicles are at risk during transport
• Sorting and processing facilities face increased danger
• Site staff and drivers may be exposed to serious harm

Battery related fires are one of the fastest growing hazards in the waste industry.

Compaction Makes the Risk Worse

Unlike loose waste, skips often involve compaction, loading by heavy machinery, or movement during transport. This increases the likelihood of batteries being damaged, dramatically raising the chance of ignition. 

Once a fire starts inside a container it can spread rapidly and be extremely difficult to control.

Environmental Consequences

When vapes are crushed or broken in skips, battery chemicals and leftover e liquids can leak into the surrounding waste.

This contamination:

• Pollutes soil and water if waste enters landfill
• Creates hazardous waste conditions
• Increases the environmental impact of disposal

Incorrect disposal undermines recycling efforts and contributes to long term environmental damage.   

Legal and Compliance Risks

Placing vapes in general waste skips may also breach waste regulations, particularly where hazardous waste or battery disposal rules apply. This can result in:

• Rejected loads
• Additional handling charges
• Delays and operational disruptions
• Potential regulatory consequences 

Correct segregation protests both safety and compliance.

The Correct Way to Dispose of Vapes

Vapes should never be placed in general waste or recycling bins. Because they contain batteries and electronic components, they are classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and require specialist handling. The correct way to dispose of a vape is to take it to a designated WEEE collection point, where it can be safely processed and recycled.

To find your nearest electrical recycling point for any item with a battery, plug or cable, visit the Recycle Your Electricals website.

Everyone Has a Role to Play

Preventing fires and contamination starts before waste reaches a skip. By keeping vapes out of bins, you help:

• Protect site workers and drivers 
• Reduce fire incidents 
• Improve environmental outcomes
• Maintain safe waste operations

Bloomfield Resources Commitment

At Bloomfield Resources, safety and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do. Raising awareness about the dangers of incorrectly discarded vapes is an important step in reducing risk across the waste sector.

Together, we can keep waste sites safer and more responsible.