The massive litter problem we face from disposable vapes is why we launched our campaign to outlaw them this week.
And as we reveal today, with so many materials involved in their production, Scots who genuinely want to recycle their disposable e-cigs face a headache. The range of stuff inside these single-use vapes is mindblowing, with plastic, aluminium and rubber bungs in the casing – and inside, a lithium battery, copper wires, foam, cotton, a coil, nicotine liquid and more.
All this for a disposable product – at a time when governments here and around the world are trying to change our throwaway culture to save the planet. The vaping industry yesterday responded to calls for a ban by calling on customers to dismantle them and recycle them.
One option for eco-conscious Scots is to remove the precious lithium battery to take to a local recycling point – but this can be fiddly and takes time. Local household recycling centres should be able to take whole vapes at their Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) points. But for some people, those will be miles away, and not everyone has a car or reliable public transport to get them there.
That’s why we again welcome the swift Scottish Government action to consider a ban on these products. The review commissioned by ministers also vows to explore measures short of a ban such as improving access to “responsible disposal options”. That’s something that should be done now because, however long it takes to outlaw them, litter from disposable vapes will continue to pile up.
This blight is an eyesore in our local communities, environmentally bad, hazardous to wildlife and makes a mockery of plans to cut waste.
C’mon Sir Andy
Everyone in Scotland knows Sir Andy Murray is a champion on and off the tennis court.
But his performances in the Australian Open this week have shown that he is a true fighter as well as a winner. The 35-year-old’s arduous five-set win over home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis took almost six hours on Thursday.
That followed another epic near-five hour match on Tuesday. And today he faces Spanish 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.
Win or lose today, Dunblane’s finest has shown that he is back as a force to be reckoned with. Despite having a metal hip and recovering from a career- threatening injury, he has shown remarkable courage to get back on the court. He’s won Wimbledon twice and the US Open once in a glittering career.
But Andy’s greatest triumph could be showing the world that you should never give up on your dreams.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
