Thamesgate Shopping Centre now features new vape-disposal bins located just outside Burger King and Top Cuts. These bins are there to help shoppers and visitors dispose of used vaping devices properly.

The bins have been put in place in response to the UK government’s ban on single-use (disposable) vapes, which came into effect on 1 June 2025. Under the new rules, all single-use vapes (whether or not they contain nicotine) may no longer be sold or supplied.

Here’s why the vape bins matter:

• Environmental protection: Nearly 5 million disposable vapes were littered or thrown away each week before the ban. Many ended up in general bin waste or as litter. These devices contain plastics, metals, and batteries that can leach harmful substances, pollute land, waterways, and are difficult to recycle.

• Fire safety and chemical risk: Lithium-ion batteries in vapes pose risks if damaged, especially when sent to landfill or improperly discarded. Batteries, circuits, and e-liquid components can threaten waste workers and the environment.

• Legal compliance and responsibility: The law now requires businesses to not only stop selling single-use vapes, but also to encourage proper disposal / recycling of used devices. Installing bins helps meet that obligation.

What you can do:

• If you have used up a disposable vape, don’t throw it in a normal bin—use one of the new vape-bins.

• If you have old disposables at home, return them to a retailer offering take-back, or use one of these collection points.

• Consider switching to reusable, rechargeable vapes if you vape, since the ban only allows legal sales of vapes that are rechargeable and refillable.

These new bins outside Burger King and Top Cuts are a simple but important step to help Thamesgate stay cleaner, safer, and legally up to date. Let’s all do our bit!