Border Force: Sustainable disposal of e-cigarettes

Background

Border Force faced an unprecedented challenge with the sharp rise in illegal e-cigarettes entering the UK. Traditionally, seized e-cigarettes were sent to landfill or incinerated, but the growing volume demanded a more sustainable solution.

In collaboration with waste management partner Biffa, Border Force aimed to revolutionise the disposal process by recycling all seized e-cigarettes. 

Challenges

• Volume Surge: With 1.9 million units seized annually, the spike in illegal e-cigarettes created a logistical and environmental challenge as existing disposal methods—landfill and incineration—were unsustainable.

• Toxic Components: E-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium batteries and metals, requiring specialist recycling processes.

• Secure Storage: The huge volume of seized products required secure compliant storage as well as safe handling of the associated hazardous materials.

Biffa’s Tailored Solution

Biffa ran a trial to analyse the component materials of the e-cigarettes. This successfully paved the way for a full-scale recycling operation, where 100% of e-cigarette components—cardboard, batteries, metals, and hazardous liquids—could be recovered or recycled.

Biffa also provided alternative recycling routes for hazardous materials, ensuring regulatory compliance. Their experts worked closely with Border Force, offering ongoing advice on safe and compliant waste management processes.

The response to this challenge also involved a planned investment in new recycling technologies to further improve the recycling process of hazardous e-cigarette components, supporting Border Force’s long-term sustainability goals.

Weekly strategy meetings and monthly updates fostered close collaboration between both parties. Border Force provided commercial oversight and regulatory compliance, while Biffa’s project management ensured the timely collection, storage, and recycling of materials. This level of collaboration extended to frequent site visits and bespoke training sessions for Border Force staff to upskill them in waste management regulations and practices.