Port Phillip Mayor Louise Crawford has highlighted the issue of vapes becoming a new problem in the waste and litter world, following the decrease of littered masks due to COVID-19. She mentioned that the council has been experiencing more waste fires in rubbish trucks, with suspected vapes being a potential cause. By implementing a vape recycling program, the council has seen a reduction in these fires since December.
The council recycled a total of 270 kilograms of vapes, equivalent to about 4500 used devices, between February and December last year. Mayor Crawford believes that other councils may have similar, if not higher, numbers of vapes being disposed of improperly. Port Phillip is working with other councils to consider offering a similar vape disposal service until April, in an effort to combat vape waste and potential fire hazards.
The City of Casey established the state’s first vape disposal service in November 2023 and has collected 254 kilograms of vapes since then. Mayor Stefan Koomen sees this initiative as a positive step towards proper disposal of vapes, preventing littering in public spaces and reducing the risk of dangerous fires caused by incorrect disposal in rubbish trucks. However, not all council areas have options for the correct disposal of vape devices, leading to confusion among users on how to dispose of them properly.
Clean Up Australia chair Pip Kiernan highlighted the environmental concerns surrounding vapes, stating that they pose a triple threat as plastic waste, hazardous waste, and e-waste. Due to containing a battery, vapes should not be disposed of in the garbage bin as they can cause fires and other issues in waste facilities. Kiernan emphasized the need for a consistent approach to the collection and disposal of vapes, similar to the success of container deposit schemes in reducing littered cans and bottles.
Kiernan suggested that a producer-responsibility scheme should be implemented for vapes, where the entities importing or manufacturing these products are responsible for their collection and safe disposal at the end of their life. She believes that vapes can be problematic for the environment when not disposed of properly and that a coordinated approach is necessary to address the increasing issue of vape waste. By raising awareness and providing proper disposal options, the community can work together to reduce the environmental impact of vapes and prevent potential hazards caused by improper disposal.
