Castle Point Borough Council has urged households on Canvey Island to stop putting used vapes in their black rubbish sacks, warning that the devices can spark dangerous fires in bin lorries and waste facilities. The council issued the reminder on 20 April 2026, directing residents to use proper recycling collection points at local supermarkets and retailers instead.
Incorrectly discarded vapes are a growing concern across the country. According to data from the Material Focus campaign, more than 6 million vapes and pods are thrown away every week in the UK. Research indicates that nearly half of all vape users are unaware that these devices can be recycled.
The batteries inside vapes are particularly hazardous when damaged, as they can cause fires if crushed in collection vehicles. The waste management firm Biffa has described these incidents as reaching epidemic levels, with over 1,200 fires reported in bin lorries and waste sites over the past year. This represents a 70 per cent increase in such fires over the last four years.
Residents on Canvey Island can take their used devices to the Canvey Recycling Centre on Canvey Road. Since April 2025, over 2 tonnes of vapes have been collected at recycling centres across Essex, with the lithium from the batteries being reused for new technology like electric cars and mobile phones. Retailers that sell vapes are also legally required to offer a take-back service for customers to drop off old units.
This local effort follows the national ban on single-use vapes that came into force on 1 June 2025. Additionally, the government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards launched a campaign in March 2026 to improve public awareness about the safe disposal of these items to help reduce environmental harm and prevent further injuries.
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