Glastonbury tells festivalgoers not to bring disposable vapes as they ‘pollute the environment’

The moment festival fans have been waiting for is almost finally here, with Glastonbury Festival finally kicking off in less than two weeks.

More than 200,000 visitors come to the festival to see the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Lizzo and Elton John.

However, festival-goers are advised not to bring disposable e-cigarettes this year, as part of Glastonbury’s efforts to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ plastic.

The festival has updated the packaging guidelines on the website, which now state ‘not to bring disposable vapes’.

It remains unclear how this will be enforced, although MailOnline has contacted Glastonbury for more information.

“With just 17 days until the gates open for Glastonbury 2023, you may be starting to think about what brings you to the farm,” reads Glastonbury’s website.

The “what not to bring” guidelines now include disposable vapes.

“Don’t bring disposable vapes,” it says.

“They pollute the environment and can be dangerous at waste centers.”

The decision to discourage visitors from bringing vapes is part of Glastonbury’s effort to make the festival as environmentally friendly as possible.

It explained: ‘In a stand to make our world more sustainable, we ask that you avoid disposable items and opt for reusable options where possible and help us care for the land the festival is on.’

While it remains unclear how the change will be made, Glastonbury says attendees may be searched once they arrive.

“You may be searched at the entrance for items that could be used in an illegal or offensive way – which will be confiscated,” it says.

“Persons suspected of carrying out illegal and/or offensive activities on site may also be searched and deported.

‘NB: Confiscated items will NOT be returned.’

Disposable vapes are made of plastic, but also contain valuable materials such as lithium batteries and copper.

“Don’t bring disposable vapes. They pollute the environment and can be dangerous at waste centers,” Glastonbury’s guidance reads

This means that they are classified as waste electrical and electronic equipment.

While consumers should technically dispose of them at household recycling centers, many are unaware and end up throwing them in the trash.

Scott Butler, executive director at Material Focus said: ‘Vaping is a growing phenomenon in the UK with over 50 per cent of all single use vapes sold being unnecessarily thrown away.

“This means that a million vapes are not recycled every week.

“We now need to take urgent action and ensure that they are recycled.

Throwing away vapes means throwing away some of the most precious materials on our planet.

“A key part of the problem is that vaping is advertised as disposable.

“Manufacturers and retailers need to work together to make sure they make people aware that vapes should never be thrown in the trash, but should be recycled.

“Recycling should be made easier and manufacturers and retailers can be part of the solution by adding in-store collection points.”