Vape Distributor Take-back Obligations
What is a distributor?
Under the WEEE regulations, a distributor is defined as:
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“Distributor” means any person in the supply chain who makes an item of EEE available on the market but a distributor may also be a producer; This is usually the retailer who makes the vapes available for purchase by the end user.
Takeback Obligations
Distributors of Vapes who supply new vapes to a person will ensure that end of life vapes can be returned to them free of charge and on a one-to-one basis by that person, provided that any such WEEE:
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(a) is of an equivalent type to, and
(b) has fulfilled the same function as the product sold.
Information
A distributor who supplies new vapes will make information available in writing to users of vapes on:
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End of life vapes should not be thrown away in general waste or littered.
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The collection and take-back systems that are available to them.
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Their role in contributing to the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of WEEE under the WEEE Regulations.
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The potential effects on the environment and human health as a result of the presence of hazardous substances in vapes.
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The meaning of the crossed out wheeled bin symbol.
Record keeping
A distributor which offers in store take-back will keep a record of the number of units of vapes that are returned to them.
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A distributor who returns vapes under regulation 43 will keep a record of the number of units of vapes returned by them under that regulation.
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Each distributor will keep a record of the information.
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The records referred to will be kept for a period of at least four years commencing on the date on which any such record is made and will be made available to the Secretary of State on demand.
Returns
Distributors have two options for ensuring waste vapes returned to them are managed correctly:
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Vapes collection services - a number of waste management companies now offer vape collection and recycling services which include advice, containers, collections and recycling in an easy-to-use service.
Contact your existing waste management company - or search on the internet for vape recycling.
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A distributor may return collected vapes at their own expense to the WEEE system and receive free of charge treatment where set up by an operator of a Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS) by issuing a regulation 43 request to the PCS. This allows the distributor to arrange delivery of returned vapes into an approved authorised treatment facility (AATF) for free treatment.
The distributor will be required to pay for any delivery costs to get the vapes from their premises to the facility and must follow all relevant waste management requirements in arranging delivery.
​Definitions
EEE is Electrical and Electronic Equipment
WEEE is Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
PCS is a Producer Compliance Scheme