Vaporizer recycling, sustainability: How and why does it concern you?
What is vaping sustainability?
The definition of sustainability first appeared in 1987 in a report called "Our Common Future" by the World Commission on the Environment. Sustainable development is defined in this report as "development that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
It is a long-term concept that aims to minimize negative impacts on the environment, the economy and society and to ensure a balance between these three areas.
In the context of vaping, this means applying environmentally responsible and environmentally friendly practices related to the supply, sale and use of vaping devices and cartridges. The aim is to allow customers to enjoy the benefits of vaping while eliminating the negative impact on the environment.
Why should you care about sustainability?
As a retailer, you can play a key role in promoting sustainability and an environmentally responsible approach. There are several reasons to be involved in sustainability:
- Moral responsibility. As a retailer, you are responsible for the products you offer and the impact your business has on the environment and society.
- Customer demands. More and more customers prefer to buy sustainable products. By offering environmentally friendly products, you can attract new customers.
- Long-term sustainability of the business. Investing in environmentally friendly products and practices can reduce energy and materials costs.
- One step ahead of the competition. Offering innovative products that are also environmentally friendly will set you apart from the competition. You will be a responsible company in the eyes of your customers and strengthen trust in your products.
- Global impact. Climate change, the loss of natural resources and other environmental problems have an impact on the entire planet. As a sustainably-minded business, you can eliminate the negative impact and help improve the environment and preserve it for future generations.
Cigarette butts are a burden on the planet
A study published this year in Science of The Total Environment points out that used cigarette filters (cigarette butts) have been among the most abundant waste over the past three decades. An estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded each year. These are the ones we see every day on city streets, in the countryside, and on beaches by the sea.
The study also reports that at least 65% of smokers throw used cigarette filters on the ground, which is higher than the rate of throwing away other disposable items. Each cigarette filter contains approximately 15 000 microplastic fibres, which can be shed into water at a rate of approximately 100 microplastic fibres per day. On a global scale, taking into account all discarded cigarette butts, this represents an estimated 0.3 million tonnes of released microfibres per year.
There is now considerable evidence that microplastics are a threat to ecosystems and that microfibres from cigarette filters can also have toxic effects on organisms.
From this perspective, vaporisers would seem to be a much better environmentally friendly option. But is this really the case?
Recycling vaporizers
Vaping has become an increasingly popular alternative to smoking in recent years. However, there is a growing demand for vaporizer pens (vape pens). However, like other consumer electronics, vaping devices are made up of different components and combine different materials - lithium battery, plastic housings, metal and glass parts. Most devices also include electronics - a circuit board.
End-of-life vaporizers are a major burden on the environment, especially if they are not disposed of properly. While the vast majority of vapes can be dismantled and each part recycled separately, many of these devices often end up in mixed waste instead of being recycled and end up in landfills.
In the defence of consumers, however, it should be added that disassembly of, for example, disposable vape pens is not always easy. The individual components may be tightly joined (glued) together, which makes the recycling process difficult and discourages consumers from sorting.
Some companies have therefore already started to think about how to design vaporizers to be more environmentally friendly. They are exploring ways to incorporate recyclable materials into their products and trying to optimise their manufacturing processes to reduce waste and energy consumption.
How to do business responsibly?
Here are a few ways you can take a stand on sustainability while continuing to offer vaporizers and other vaping accessories to your customers.
- Choose manufacturers that place a premium on sustainability in their products. Be interested in the processes, materials used and eco-certifications.
- Strive to offer environmentally friendly products such as vaporizers and vape pens with low energy consumption, recyclable components and packaging.
- Encourage your customers to behave responsibly, educate and inform them about recycling options and proper e-waste management.
- Integrate sustainability into your own operations. Minimise energy and material consumption and reduce waste. Take hazardous waste to a collection yard or dispose of it in another recommended way in accordance with the law.
Based on your demand (customer demand), manufacturers will also be forced to invest in development and find ways to incorporate recycled materials into their products and design equipment that is easier to dismantle when it reaches end-of-life.
How to motivate customers to behave sustainably?
In recent years, the demand for disposable vape pens in particular has been on the rise. Why do some people prefer them? The compactness of the vape pen in particular may play a role, but also the affordable price and ease of use. Unfortunately, these vape foams end up in the trash after a single use (usually 250-700 puffs).
By introducing customers to the benefits of refillable cartridges, you take your company one step closer to sustainability. It's true that the initial investment in both desktop and portable reusable vaporizers is higher, but it pays off in the long run. Instead of throwing away the entire device once the liquid runs out, customers simply refill or replace the cartridges.
Offer larger bottles of liquid to reduce plastic consumption. Make it easy to replace components such as batteries or cartridges.
Try to come up with your own recycling program for disposable vape pen. You can offer customers a place to return used devices and take care of proper disposal. Incentivize them with a discount on future purchases if they bring you a retired vaporizer or if they participate in recycling activities.
You can also devise a competition to encourage customers to 'behave sustainably'. This will create a shared community that shares their experiences and inspiration on how to approach vaping in an eco-friendly way. A competition can generate interest from new customers, raising awareness not only of your e-shop (or bricks-and-mortar store) but also of your company's environmentally responsible approach.
Conclusion
The vaping industry has been booming in recent years. Demand for disposable vapes is on the rise and this trend is expected to continue. However, as the popularity of vaping products increases, so does the consumption of plastic and metal components and refills. It will therefore become increasingly necessary to focus on the environmental aspects of vaping. The vaping industry cannot be left alone on the road to sustainability. It must be a joint effort involving manufacturers, retailers and consumers.
As a retailer, you have a say in what products you offer. At the same time, you can educate your customers and motivate them to behave sustainably and recycle. Try highlighting the benefits of refillable vaporizers, or vaporizers with eco-friendly components or made from recyclable materials. Remember, a retailer that takes a sustainable approach can positively impact not only their business, but also the environment and ultimately society as a whole.
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