SGF partners Elfbar to launch disposable vape disposal pilot

Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has announced the roll-out of a pilot programme providing a fully funded recycling programme for used vapes in partnership with Elfbar.

The pilot was launched on Monday at retailer Anand Cheema’s Costcutter – Fresh in Falkirk store where he took receipt of a vape recycling bin.

A total of 20 SGF member stores from across Scotland will be participating in the pilot, beginning from October, marking the first step of a long-term ‘Recycle Used Vapes’ programme by SGF and Elfbar.

“A key focus for Scottish Grocers’ Federation is the promotion of responsible community retailing. That is why we value the opportunity to work in partnership with Elfbar to address the environmental damage done by single-use vaping products if they are not disposed of responsibly,” Pete Cheema, SGF chief executive, said at the launch.

“SGF recognise however that single-use vapes can also be a gateway to long-term vaping products for those quitting smoking, but that they must stop appearing in our streets and parks. Stores participating in the pilot will be able to offer customers a return point in-store through a recycling bin for used vapes and retailers will be provided with a convenient waste and recycling option as part of this.”

Cheema added that there will be further announcement at the SGF annual conference next month around waste and recycling options for disposable vapes.

Commenting, Anand Cheema said: “I am delighted to participate in the pilot programme and to be able to offer my customers an in-store return point, through the vape bin, for their used vape products. As a convenience retailer, I want to play my part in reducing the littering associated with single-use, vaping products which in turn will benefit our local environment. This is a positive step forward and one which I fully support.”

Eve Peters, director of government affairs and spokesperson for Elfbar UK, said: “We welcome the opportunity to join with SGF in this important extension of our GreenAwareness recycling programme. To date, our own programme has covered 70 stores in England and Wales with plans to scale up in terms of recycling bin coverage by the end of the year, including the 20 SGF member stores in Scotland in this pilot partnership with SGF.

“Recycling points for used vapes have increased significantly in Scotland in recent months and we have worked to extend our recycling effort into the convenience sector, therefore we will be making further announcements in partnership with the SGF at the conference in October.”

The stores participating in the pilot will have their used vapes in recycling bins collected by Recover, a UK lithium battery recycling company, to responsibly handle the discarded devices. The products are then 100% disassembled by TES-AMM (Europe) Ltd, an AATF-certified recycling company, in Scotland.

The programme is designed to ensure the raw materials are properly dismantled and recycled, including plastics and the battery, as part of Elfbar’s commitment to the delivery of a closed recycling loop by 2025.