Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to ensure manufacturers of vapes help fund their disposal.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations require the producers of electrical and electronic equipment (including vapes) to take financial responsibility for the collection, and proper treatment the products that they place on the market when those products become waste at household waste recycling centres or are returned to retailers.

We have committed to consult on reviewing the existing WEEE regulations in 2023 to strengthen the obligations placed on producers and retailers to make it easier and more convenient for householders to dispose of their unwanted equipment, including vapes. In so doing we will make sure that the treatment costs that rise from waste vapes fall squarely on those who manufacture or import them.