š± Our dirty (electronic) habits: The vaping case study
PLUS we ask you what you want to read about in 2025
Happy Monday! Every Monday we suit up and get serious - digging into a climate topic, rounding up the past weekās Good(s) News and sharing updates from across FTF, so youāre never out of the loop.
As we begin covering ourselves in our winter cocoon to rest and recharge we are thinking about how we can emerge fresher and better than ever. Iām sure many of you also contemplate what positive changes you can make in the new year. Thatās why it feels fitting to write about an environmental issue that might also be a personal habit you would like to kick in the new year. This week guest writer Rachael shares some shocking environmental facts about vapes and gives us a small glimpse into the complicated world of disposable electronics.
After you have inhaled our topic piece, we would love for you to take a few moments to think about the kind of content you would like to read in the new year!
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> In Focus
Vaping: how green is smokingās āguilt-freeā alternative?
by Rachael Mpashi-Marx
Vaping has been marketed as a cleaner, safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, promising fewer health risks and no cigarette butt littering. However, a growing number of countries, including the UK, are so concerned about their impacts, they are introducing bans. Such worries are not just about the health impacts. Vaping isn't as harmless to the environment as many assume. Every tonne of disposable vapes incinerated produces 0.23 TCO2e (and that does not account for the whole lifecycle of the product!), and with around 5 million per week being thrown away, those seemingly innocent clouds of flavoured vapour leave behind a long trail of environmental consequences that deserve a closer look.
The devices: single-use, lasting consequences
At the core of the vaping trend are the devices themselves. Whether it's a sleek reusable vape pen or a disposable e-cigarette, these gadgets have a significant environmental footprint. Many are made of a mix of plastic, metal, and glass, which makes them difficult to recycle. Disposable e-cigarettes are particularly problematic. Designed for single use, itās estimated that five devices are thrown away every second in the US, while adults in the UK report buying over 360 million single-use vapes in the last year. This is adding to the growing pile of e-waste that plagues our planet. And if theyāre improperly discarded, they could end up in landfills, where the components can take centuries to break down, leaching harmful chemicals into the soil and water.
Batteries: a tiny powerhouse with a big problem
Vape devices usually run on lithium-ion batteries, and while theyāre efficient at delivering power to the device, these batteries pose their own set of issues. Mining lithium requires massive amounts of water and energy, contributing to ecosystem destruction and carbon emissions. Lithium is one of several minerals critical to the green transition, but when it is diverted to vaping devices, it is causing rather than solving problems.
Many vaping devices are labelled as ādisposableā however, the lithium battery can explode or leak toxic chemicals and heavy metals, which can contaminate water sources, harm wildlife and cause damage and injury when they explode in household waste processing facilities. The design of the product, poor information and inconsistent recycling provision make disposing of vaping devices safely challenging.
Added to which, lithium, which is used in a number of manufacturing processes, for example the creation of ceramics and glass, is available on earth in a finite amount. It has been calculated that if all the cars on earth were converted to electric, the lithium would run out in just 50 years. Such a situation would be less likely if greater efforts were being made to utilise the lithium more effectively. For example, the batteries in vapes can actually be used many times. To illustrate this point, maker, Chris Doel, successfully recycled the batteries from vapes thrown away at a music festival to create a power pack for an electric bike.
Each single-use vape contains on average 0.15g of lithium. The volume of lithium disposed in a year would have been enough to power 5,000 electric vehicles.
Pods and cartridges: proliferating plastic pollution
Most vape devices rely on pods or cartridges to hold the e-liquidāa delicious concoction of vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol that is mixed with nicotine and flavourings. They are often made from plastic and discarded after a few uses. These pods are typically not recycled because they're classified as hazardous waste due to the residual nicotine and chemicals. As a result, they end up in landfills or incinerators, where they contribute to the worldās mounting plastic pollution crisis.
Air quality: not such clear skies ahead
Vaping advocates may argue that e-cigarettes are better for air quality than traditional cigarettes, and theyāre rightāsort of. While vapes donāt release the same harmful tar and toxins that come from burning tobacco, studies show that they do emit fine particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These particles, albeit less harmful than second hand smoke, still contribute to air pollution and can impact indoor air quality, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
Actionable solutions: the green vaper's guide
So, what can you do as a responsible vaper who also cares about the environment? Here are a few practical steps you can take:
Choose reusable devices: Opt for refillable vape pens instead of disposables. Not only will this reduce the amount of plastic waste and batteries piling up in landfills, but it's also more cost-effective in the long run.
Properly dispose of batteries: Never toss vape batteries in the bin. Instead, find a local e-waste recycling centre or retailer that accepts them. Some vape shops even offer battery recycling programs, so take advantage of these services to ensure you're not contributing to harmful e-waste.
Recycle packaging: While not all vape pods or cartridges can be recycled, you can still recycle any cardboard or plastic packaging. Be sure to clean out any nicotine residue before tossing them in the recycling bin.
Support sustainable brands: Some companies are starting to address the environmental impact of vaping by using recyclable materials and offering take-back programmes. Do your research and support brands that are committed to reducing waste.
Cut back or quit: Consider cutting back on how much you vape. Less vaping means less waste, and it could be a small step toward protecting your health and the planet.
While vaping may seem like a cleaner alternative to smoking, its environmental impact is far from negligible. From disposable pods to lithium batteries, the hidden costs of vaping are slowly adding up. By making small, thoughtful changes in how we consume and dispose of vape products, we can help reduce vaping's toll on the planet. So, if youāre not ready to quit, then next time you take a puff, ask yourself: how can I make my vaping habit a little greener?
> Follow up withā¦
Explainer:Ā WEEE Regulations, what is WEEE and how should we dispose of electronic waste at work, Recycle Your Electrics
Press Release: Government crackdown on single-use vapes
> Last week in consumer goods x climateā¦
The Good(s) News
>> Challenger brands
šÆ Who Gives A Crap announced they have raised over Ā£9 million through their commitment to give 50% of their profits to support access to clean water and a toilet.
šÆ Planet A Foods announced that they have secured a $30M Series B investment, the largest sum secured by a European alt-chocolate innovator. This funds will be used to create new products, scale up manufacturing capacity and expand distribution for its ChoViva brand.
šÆ Choose Love announced its store opening at 245 Regent Street, London, delivering a unique retail experience that combines creativity, compassion and action to make a tangible difference in the lives of displaced people and refugees worldwide.
šÆ H!P Chocolate announced their new special chocolate bar created in support of The Kingās Trust. Teaming up with Amazon, they will donate a percentage of the purchase price from all sales to The Kingās Trust to support young people to transform their lives.
>>Bigger organisations
āļø Westfalia Fruit announced that they rolled out laser-etched mangoes as an initiative that eliminates the need for plastic PLU stickers. This initiative is expected to save an estimated 10 million plastic stickers annually.
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Thank you for being such amazing, loyal and engaged readers this year! We look forward to sharing more sustainability insights from the brands you love in 2025.
Much love,Ā
Team FTFĀ