CAPHRA Urges Vaping Manufacturers To Champion Environmental Leadership

Tuesday, 12 August 2025, 11:36 am
Press Release: CAPHRA

In response to mounting concerns over the environmental impact of discarded vaping products, the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is calling on manufacturers to show genuine leadership in sustainability and social responsibility.

The appeal follows a recent report showing the Philippines as one of Southeast Asia's leading e-waste producers, with vaping devices worsening hazardous pollution via improper disposal. CAPHRA, a prominent advocate for tobacco harm reduction, emphasises that although vaping offers a safer alternative to traditional smoking for adults, the industry must tackle the entire lifecycle of its products to minimise environmental damage.

"Manufacturers possess a distinctive opportunity—and duty—to innovate and set an example," said Clarisse Yvette Virgino, Philippine Representative for CAPHRA.

"We urge them to invest in eco-friendly designs, like reusable devices with removable batteries, and to implement thorough take-back programmes that guarantee proper recycling. This goes beyond mere compliance; it's about ethical business practices that safeguard our communities and ecosystems."

CAPHRA's stance on responsible disposal mirrors global best practices, pushing for regulations that enhance safety without hindering access to harm reduction tools. The organisation endorses extended producer responsibility models, where firms oversee the end-of-life stage of their products, including collection and recycling efforts akin to New Zealand's VapeCycle programme. These methods could avert vaping waste from reaching landfills, where toxic elements such as lithium batteries and nicotine residues seep into soil and water.

Innovative solutions are crucial, CAPHRA asserts. Manufacturers ought to investigate biodegradable materials, modular designs for straightforward disassembly, and collaborations with recycling companies to repurpose components.

"By embracing these progressions, the industry can demonstrate social responsibility and foster public trust, ensuring vaping stays a practical choice for smokers aiming to quit without intensifying environmental strains," Virgino added.

CAPHRA encourages governments throughout the Asia Pacific to partner with manufacturers on policies that stimulate sustainable practices, including tax incentives for eco-innovations and compulsory recycling standards. This strategy would tackle waste challenges while bolstering public health aims, mitigating disease risks from mishandled e-waste.

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