What estimated tonnage of lithium has not been recovered from single-use vapes in each of the last three years for which data is available.

The Scottish Government does not hold exact data on the number of single-use vapes for which lithium has not been recovered due to the way those products and their waste are categorised. However, Zero Waste Scotland estimate that during the 52 weeks prior to April 2023, the number of single-use vapes consumed in Scotland was between 21 and 26 million units, each containing on average 0.15g of lithium. Our Strategic Environmental Assessment estimated that approximately 1% of single-use vapes returned to a shop or recycling centre across the UK were currently recycled due to a lack of capacity. Based on these figures, the estimated yearly tonnage of lithium not recovered from single-use vapes would be between 3.11 and 3.86 tonnes. This amounts to enough lithium to make around 400 electric vehicles per year.It is now illegal to sell or supply single-use vapes in the course of business in Scotland. In 2025, a new category of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) was added to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 for vapes and electronic cigarettes to ensure producers of vape products are paying the appropriate amount for the collection, recycling, and safe disposal of used vapes. Waste vapes can be deposited at all Council household waste recycling centres where their separate collection and recycling will be funded at zero cost to the council.Under the WEEE Regs all retailers of vapes must also offer in store takeback for waste vapes to their customers. The Office for Product Safety & Standards have undertaken extensive campaigns to raise awareness of this requirement. New targets for vape-specific collections will be introduced in 2026. This will also allow for more precise data on the number of vapes placed on the market and their end of life management. October 2026 will also see HMRC introduce excise duty on vapes which will help improve compliance of the vaping sector with all relevant legislation, including that related to waste and recycling.