Last Updated: 01/09/2025
At Vape Buy, we believe that providing the best vaping products shouldn’t come at a cost to the planet. We are fully committed to reducing our environmental impact and ensuring that the products we sell are disposed of responsibly at the end of their lifecycle.
As a responsible retailer, we strictly adhere to the UK’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations. Our goal is to ensure that vapes, batteries, and e-liquids stay out of landfills and are processed safely to recover valuable materials like lithium, copper, and glass.
Our Partnership with Wastecare
To ensure we meet the highest standards of sustainability, Vape Buy has partnered with Wastecare, a leading “Approved Authorised Treatment Facility” (AATF).
Through this partnership, we fund the recovery and recycling of electronic waste equivalent to the amount we sell. This ensures that for every device you buy, we are contributing to a nationwide system that prevents hazardous materials from entering the ecosystem.
Why Recycling Matters
Vaping devices are complex pieces of technology. They often contain:
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Lithium-Ion Batteries: Which can cause fires in landfill sites if crushed.
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Plastic & Glass: Which can take centuries to decompose.
By recycling, we not only prevent pollution but also allow these valuable materials to be harvested and reused in new products, reducing the need for energy-intensive mining.
How to Recycle Your Vapes (The Easy Way)
While we offer a take-back service, the most carbon-efficient method is to recycle your products locally. This saves the carbon emissions associated with shipping old devices back to us.
1. Local Recycling Points (Recommended)
You do not need to send your old vapes back to us to recycle them.
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Supermarkets & Shops: Most large supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, etc.) and high street electronics stores now have dedicated “Vape & Battery Recycling Bins” at their entrances.
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Local Waste Centres: Your local council recycling centre will have a dedicated section for Small Electricals (WEEE) and Batteries.
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Find Your Nearest Point: We recommend using the Recycle Your Electricals locator to find the drop-off point closest to your home.
2. The Vape Buy Take-Back Scheme
If you are unable to access a local recycling point, we operate a “like-for-like” take-back scheme. If you purchase a new device from us, you can return your old equivalent device to us for recycling within 28 days of your purchase.
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How to send: Please contact support@vapebuy.co.uk for instructions.
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Note: Customers are responsible for the postage cost of returning waste items to our office. We strongly suggest using local free recycling points where possible to save you time and money.
Safe Disposal Guide
Disposable Vapes & Prefilled Pods
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Never throw these in your general household rubbish.
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Do not attempt to puncture or dismantle a disposable vape yourself.
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Place the entire unit into a dedicated Vape/Battery recycling bin at your supermarket or recycling center.
Vape Kits & Mods
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Switch Off: Ensure the device is powered down.
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Remove Battery: If your device uses external batteries (18650/21700), remove them and place them in a specific “Battery Recycling” bin.
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Remove Tank: The glass and metal tank can often be recycled with mixed recycling (check local rules), but the coil inside must be removed and placed in general waste.
E-Liquid Bottles
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Most e-liquid bottles are made from recyclable plastic (PET/HDPE).
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Please rinse the empty bottle with warm water to remove nicotine residue.
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Place the clean bottle and cap in your standard household plastic recycling bin.
If you have any questions about the safety or disposal of a product you have purchased from us, please reach out to our support team.