Norwich City Council is set to debate a proposed £5 vape deposit scheme aimed at reducing litter and preventing waste fires. The initiative, originally suggested by waste management company Biffa, has prompted vape industry leaders to warn of severe logistical hurdles and rising costs for adult consumers.

The proposal follows a series of high-profile waste fires, including a major incident in Glasgow earlier this year. While giving used disposables a financial value could boost recycling rates, industry experts argue that a deposit scheme addresses only part of the problem.

David Phillips of retailer Vape Superstore noted that retailers are already legally required to offer free take-back services, though consumer awareness remains low. For a deposit scheme to work, Phillips stressed it must be backed by highly visible, convenient recycling points.

Consumer and Retailer Challenges

The financial impact on consumers is a primary concern. Adult vapers already face rising costs due to the upcoming Vape Tax on e-liquids. Adding a £5 deposit at the point of purchase could make vaping prohibitively expensive, potentially discouraging smokers from making the switch.

For brick-and-mortar retailers, the practical challenges are steep:

• Fire Safety: Storing large quantities of used lithium-ion batteries presents a severe fire hazard, requiring specialized, safe storage facilities.
• Cross-Store Returns: Retailers must figure out how to handle returns of devices purchased from other stores or collected from streets.
• Online Sales: Since a large portion of vapes are purchased online, a secure national collection network or local drop-off points would be required to facilitate safe mail-in returns.

Industry representatives urge policymakers to involve retailers in the design phase of any potential deposit scheme to ensure the system is practical for businesses, consumers, and the environment.