Project Snapshot

Client: Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Sector: Healthcare / Mental Health Services

Scale:
4 hospital sites across Manchester

Challenge:
No compliant recycling solution for disposable vapes used on-site

Solution:
Ad-hoc vape recycling collections with compliant processing and reporting

Results:
856 kg of vapes collected across four healthcare facilities

The Challenge

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust operates multiple hospital sites that provide care for patients across the region.

Within mental health settings, patients are permitted to use vapes as part of smoking reduction and harm reduction policies. However, this created a new operational challenge.

Large numbers of disposable vapes were being generated across the sites, but there was no compliant recycling solution available to manage this waste stream.

Disposable vapes contain batteries, electronics, and hazardous components, meaning they cannot be disposed of through standard waste routes.

The Trust required a partner that could:

• Safely collect and recycle vape waste
• Provide fully compliant recycling methods
• Support multiple healthcare sites
• Deliver accurate reporting for environmental and compliance records

The Solution

GAP Group implemented a vape recycling programme tailored to the operational needs of healthcare environments.

The service provides ad-hoc vape collections across the Trust’s hospital sites, allowing staff to arrange collections when volumes require removal.

All collected vapes are transported to GAP Group’s processing facilities where the devices are dismantled and separated into their recyclable material streams, including batteries, plastics, and metals.

The solution includes:

• Vape recycling collections across 4 hospital sites
• Safe handling of lithium batteries and electronic components
• Fully compliant electrical waste recycling
• Environmental reporting to support the Trust’s sustainability objectives

This approach ensures that vape waste generated within clinical environments is managed safely and responsibly.

The Results

The vape recycling programme has already delivered measurable environmental benefits across the Trust’s sites.

Key results include:

• 4 NHS hospital sites supported
• 856 kg of vape waste collected so far
• Fully compliant recycling of devices containing batteries and electronics
• Accurate reporting to support environmental and compliance records

The solution has enabled the Trust to introduce a responsible recycling route for a waste stream that previously had no clear disposal pathway.

Client Feedback

A client testimonial will be added following the initial service rollout.

Need a compliant solution for difficult electrical waste streams?

GAP Group provides nationwide recycling solutions for WEEE streams including vapes, batteries, small electronics, and IT equipment, with full compliance documentation and direct processing.

Speak to our team about managing electrical waste across healthcare, retail, and commercial sites.

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