A National Response for Vapes and Tobacco Products

As an environmental charity with a specific focus on tobacco waste, No More Butts has been raising the need for product stewardship or an extended producer responsibility scheme for tobacco products since our formation in 2020.

Initially looking into cigarette filters, our mission was further ignited when we were asked to prepare a paper on the environmental impacts of vapes, based on the rapid introduction into Australia.

Vapes were somehow different. No matter your perspective on the health impacts, it was undeniable that vaping had quickly got a grip on our society. They were initially sold as a consumer item at convenience stores (and in playgrounds), regardless of their nicotine content. Vapes quickly found their way into school bags and nightclubs alike.

In 2023, the government cracked down on the importation and retailing. However, in doing so, a new issue was created. No longer a legal product, it was significantly harder to create a product stewardship scheme for vapes. There was no longer a legal importer, distributor or retailer to discuss product design or end-of-life management with. More importantly, there was no one to levy.

No More Butts advocated for several years through state and commonwealth forums to integrate vaping devices into existing stewardship arrangements, including the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, or even the voluntary B-cycle scheme.

In time, the true impact of incorrect disposal of vaping devices started to be felt throughout the waste industry, with hundreds of bin, truck and facility fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, including those found in vapes.

In 2024, we saw some glimmers of hope, with millions in funding being allocated in the budget for vaping disposal, as well as research into effective dismantling, in line with our budget submission. We also saw intent from the Environment Ministers Meeting to address the issue on a national level, which fell short of the expectations at the end of 2024.

As we start 2025, NSW will lead the response, with planned legislation, but we still need a national response to this issue. We have the schemes and the funding, now we need the action.

Shannon Mead
Executive Director
No More Butts