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People are being urged to properly bin their disposable e-cigarettes after five out of six waste fires at Longue Hougue in 2022 were believed to be caused by batteries thrown away with general waste.
But fires at the waste sorting centre have gradually decreased since 2020 when 13 fires were recorded.
However domestic products containing batteries are still finding their way to the site. Lithium batteries can ignite if damaged causing fires and wider environmental pollution.
Anyone with redundant disposable vapes or batteries can bring them to Longue Hougue to its free drop-off facility to safely dispose of and recycle the items. If a local vape retailer does not offer a ‘take-back’ scheme, individual’s must personally and correctly dispose of them.
Guernsey Waste say that over 1,000 vapes have been collected so far at the site since it was installed at the end of last year.
Pictured: Fires at Longue Hougue have more than halved since the facility opened.
Guernsey Waste operations manager Sarah Robinson said vapes can be made of recyclable materials and when disposed of correctly this can reduce unnecessary waste.
“The vapes that we receive are hand sorted and dismantled by a local company to remove the batteries and other recyclable materials. All components then go off to be recycled or safely disposed of.”
Commercial businesses are not permitted to use the Household Waste & Recycling Centre, but Guernsey Waste can advise them how to manage large quantities of e-cigarette waste.
Ms Robinson added: “We would actively encourage any commercial businesses and shops to set up a take back scheme, if they don’t already have one, and get their own private arrangements in place. “Like with everything, we would also promote the use of reusable items where possible over single use.”
Full guidance on waste disposal can be found HERE.
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