{
  "id": 8433961,
  "title": "Why 600kg of discarded vapes are causing worry across the Costa del Sol",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/why-600kg-of-discarded-vapes-are-causing-worry-across-the-costa-del",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T10:10:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euro Weekly News",
    "slug": "euro-weekly-news",
    "url": "https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/09/19/why-600kg-of-discarded-vapes-are-causing-worry-across-the-costa-del-sol/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Discarded vapes are posing a fire risk in the Costa del Sol, with waste companies collecting roughly 600 kilograms of e-cigarettes and vaping devices since launching a dedicated recycling scheme in March. This amounts to around 100 kilograms each month, highlighting how quickly vaping habits are shaping the types of waste found in household rubbish. Local authorities describe these gadgets as a growing category of hazardous waste, as their lithium batteries can overheat and ignite when improperly disposed of. The main concern is that dropping a vape into general waste or ordinary recycling bins could trigger fires during collection and processing. Officials are urging residents to avoid putting vapes in general, yellow, or grey bins, and instead to dispose of them at local recycling centers or retail shops that offer take-back points for electronic waste. Many tobacconists, specialist retailers, and manufacturers already collect these devices responsibly, under a legal duty to ensure proper disposal. For rechargeable vapes, separating the battery, cartridge, and other components before disposal is crucial, as batteries must be placed in designated lithium waste containers. Even after collection, vapes need careful manual handling rather than automated sorting, due to their mix of plastics, metals, and battery cells. Waste management staff are working diligently to integrate these devices into existing waste systems, aiming to prevent pollution and recover valuable materials like aluminum and cobalt.",
  "summary": "Discarded vapes are putting bin lorries and recycling workers at risk of fire, and officials say the problem is only […]",
  "key_points": [
    "600kg of discarded vapes collected since March in Costa del Sol.",
    "Lithium batteries in vapes pose fire risk when improperly disposed.",
    "Residents urged to dispose of vapes at recycling centers or retail shops."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}