Key points:
- Vapes and other disposable technologies, such as mini-fans and single-use headphones, contain valuable resources but are rarely recycled.
- Scientists have called for a global effort to reduce the contribution of these technologies to international waste accumulation and environmental degradation.
- Some legislation has tried to tackle the issue, but action beyond a product-by-product, country-by-country approach is required to make an impact.
Vapes and other disposable technologies, such as mini-fans and single-use headphones, contain valuable resources including lithium and other rare earth elements. These technologies are marketed as recyclable, but lack clear recycling instructions and incentives for consumers to return the valuable materials. For example, in the United States alone, 4.5 disposable vapes are thrown away each second.
Scientists have called for a global effort to reduce the contribution of disposable electronic technologies to international waste accumulation and environmental degradation. A new letter, published in Science, shares their perspectives.
These experts in environmental science, materials science, marine biology, consumer biology, and ethics have called for urgent reform of disposable electronics practices in the technology industry to avoid continued resource depletion and environmental degradation. They also explain that the premise of disposable electronics and other single-use items should be questioned as these products may be too dangerous in the long term to justify their place in the market.
Their letter coincides with a meeting of world leaders of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to negotiate an international and legally binding Global Plastics Treaty. Additionally, it follows recent legislation in the UK and Australia to limit the availability of disposable vapes.
“Right now, we have a narrow and rapidly closing window of opportunity to address the e-waste crisis,” explained the letter’s lead author Laura Young of Albertay University and the University of Dundee. “These small electric devices promote the casual disposability of precious Earth materials and the creation of excessive amounts of e-waste. Legislative action begins to address this, however action beyond a product-by-product, country-by-country approach is required.”