Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
130. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of the public consultation on disposable vaping devices; the timeline for the proposed ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution or free offer of disposable vaping devices under the Waste Management Act, 1996, Section 28(4)(i); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10512/24]
View answerIn June 2023, I launched a public consultation to help inform Ireland’s environmental response to disposable vaping devices. Disposable vaping devices present several challenges to our current waste collection and recycling system, and they can and should be recycled in a responsible manner. The use of valuable materials in disposable devices is not consistent with circular economy principles. The public consultation closed on 11 August 2023. and a summary of responses was published in October 2023 at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/826a1-public-consultation-on-disposable-vaping-devices/.
Over 3,000 submissions were made by individuals and organisations, including retailers, and around 85% of respondents supported the banning of disposable vaping devices.
In addition to a potential ban on disposable vapes, other policy options include:
• Establish a deposit and return system for the devices.
• Enhance the producer responsibility scheme to ensure that all producers placing disposable vaping devices on the market are registered with the Producer Register Limited and complying fully in producer responsibility.
• Increase public awareness around the return of devices for responsible recycling.
I continue to engage with stakeholders regarding the most appropriate course of action to address these devices, and am working with my colleagues the Ministers for Health and Finance to ensure a consistent approach that meets various Government policy objectives in relation to vapes, including environment protection.
