One in Three Electrical Devices Sold in 2024 Was a Vape
One in Three Electrical Devices Sold in 2024 Was a Vape
Text: Izzy Copestake
Vapes made up 33% of all electrical devices sold in 2024
A report by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Ireland has revealed that vapes made up 33% of all electrical devices sold in 2024. This highlights the scale of Ireland’s growing dependency on disposable e-cigarettes, with over 31 million vapes sold across the country last year. By contrast, only around 1.1 million were recycled, raising concerns about the environmental impact.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Leo Donovan, CEO of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Ireland, urged the public, and particularly young people, “to look at bringing those back to our battery recycling boxes, back to the original retailer that they bought the vape from.”
Despite being electrical products, many vapes still end up in regular waste bins. Donovan warned against this and pointed out that vapes can be returned for free, including via the blue Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Ireland battery boxes in shops.
Once returned, vapes are dismantled and their materials are separated for safe recycling. “Can it be repaired? Can it be reused after you’ve finished using it, and then, if not, send it to one of the authorised recycling points, like your electrical retailer and the local authority sites,” Donovan added.
The report also revealed a significant rise in general electronic consumption, with Irish households purchasing 93 million electronic items in 2024, nearly triple the number recorded in 2006. Hoarding of unused devices has also increased, with 29% of households admitting to storing old electronics rather than recycling them, up from 22% the previous year.
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