Dutch News reported a call for deposits on vapes in Netherlands on December 16, 2024. This may be part of a growing resentment to substandard lithium-ion batteries, and the dangers they hold. In this instance, the complaint relates to millions of single-use vapes being incorrectly disposed of after one use. Because their batteries still contain enough lithium to potentially harm innocent people nearby.
Netherlands Waste Sector Calls for Deposits on Vapes
The Netherlands waste disposal sector is taking the knock for disposable vapes, included in regular household waste. That’s because they end up in production lines that recycle household garbage. If the lithium-ion battery in a disposable vape becomes damaged in the process, then it can cause a fire.
Dutch News quotes sector umbrella organization Open, which campaigns for recycling all electrical waste. The lobby group explains how the batteries in disposable vapes can also catch fire in garbage disposal trucks, endangering workers going about their daily routines. Hence the call for deposits on vapes.
“We get more reports of battery fires in rubbish vans and waste processing locations caused by batteries in vapes,” their spokesperson explains. “What is more, scarce resources such as lithium and copper cannot be reused if the vapes are in ordinary waste.”
No Obligation on Sellers to Recycle Used Vapes
The Netherlands recycling industry has set up dedicated vape collection points at supermarkets, vape sellers and DIY stores. But not withstanding this, some 20,000 vapes end up in household waste every day. To give an idea of scale, this equates to 73 million disposable vapes a year in Netherlands alone.
For these, and other safety and environmental reasons, the Netherlands waste recycling industry is calling for refundable deposits on vapes. “Vaping is not only a danger to children, but also to workers who are being exposed to exploding vapes and that is unacceptable,” a spokesperson explains.
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