Confronting The Dilemma: Tobacco Harm Reduction vs Vape Environmental Impact

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In the battle against tobacco, vaping emerged as a convenient solution, offering a safer alternative to traditional smoking. However, the focus has shifted to a different scale, revealing a pressing dilemma: balancing tobacco harm reduction against environmental concerns regarding disposables. The question is, how can the vaping industry, including Flonq, address this issue now? There might be various sustainable solutions, rather than simply resorting to a vape ban.

Back to basics: why vapes were considered in the first place.

There is a guiding fact: tobacco kills, and it does so significantly. According to the WHO, tobacco causes more than 8 million deaths each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.

In 2007, WHO introduced an initiative called MPOWER to address the global tobacco epidemic. Over the years, the program has proven to be effective: cigarette sales began declining in 2012 and have continued ever since.

However, considering tobacco products are highly addictive, it was quite expected that nicotine consumers would seek alternatives, making the quitting process less harsh. Electronic cigarettes, including disposables, became one of these alternatives.

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Yet, it started off so well

When comparing disposable vapes with tobacco products, it seems like there are nothing but advantages. For cigarette smokers, disposables can serve as a gateway to a tobacco smoke-free lifestyle. They also offer plenty of benefits: simplicity, versatility in design and flavour. No recharging or refilling are needed, plus, they can be used almost anywhere, and mimic a familiar smoking experience.

But then, there’s the environmental cost.

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Disposable vapes consist of a variety of materials, with plastic posing an issue, although not the only one. Despite being encased in plastic, the main concerning component of vapes is the lithium inside the battery. On average, each single-use vape contains 0.15g of lithium.  

According to research conducted by Material Focus, a British environmental nonprofit, and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, the number of disposables thrown away in the UK accumulates up to 10 tones of lithium per year. This quantity could potentially supply batteries for over 1,200 electric vehicles.

Disposables are simply discarded without being disassembled and properly recycled, meaning this valuable material is not reused and lost forever.

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A simple vape ban is not the answer

Despite growing concerns about their environmental impact, simply eliminating disposables altogether and for ever might not be the best idea. With an estimated 82 million vapers worldwide, banning disposables could potentially drive part of them back to tobacco products or set the stage for the black market emergence. 

So, step one for all industry players is to consider and address the environmental agenda posed by disposables. Step two could be to ensure proper vape recycling.

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As the Executive Director of Material Focus, Scott Butler, says: “Producers and retailers need to work together to ensure that people are aware that vapes should never be binned and instead be recycled. Recycling needs to be made easier, and manufacturers and retailers can become part of the solution.”

That being said, Flonq is taking action.

We do care: Flonq sustainable vaping solutions

Many vape consumers are responsible enough to understand the importance of vape recycling. The issue lies in the lack of accessible solutions to do so. It may seem like the only way is to arm one self with a pair of scissors (please, don’t do that).

At Flonq, we've taken action by offering solutions for sustainable vaping and easy recycling. We've intentionally engineered an eco-friendly disposable vape — our flagship device, the Flonq Plus E.

Each part of the device can be easily separated by simply turning the bottom part to the right. Afterwards, they can be disposed of in their respective bins for plastic, mixed, and battery waste.

Additionally, at Flonq, we understand the importance of addressing not only how to disassemble the device but also where to throw them away for further recycling.

To offer accessible disposal options, Flonq has initiated an e-cigarette recycling program aimed at reducing environmental impact. The project involves installing recycling Flonq eco bins specifically designed for used vaping devices. All collected e-cigarettes are delivered to processing sites for recycling.

While the program is currently being implemented in various regions, our goal is to expand eco bin installations to more store locations worldwide. We are already seeing positive results and take pride in our 2023 achievement, which resulted in recycling 15 tons of waste in Eastern Europe alone. And there's more to come.

In the context of disposable vapes, a thoughtful and careful approach is essential. Vaping companies must admit its impact and take action to reduce its environmental impact, much like Flonq has done. One of the solutions can be making device recycling easy and setting up a strong recycling infrastructure. At Flonq, we are already on it, offering eco-friendly vaping choices.