Latvia Advances vape Deposit Scheme

Latvia is moving forward with plans to introduce a deposit system for vapes, aiming to curb pollution and environmental risks linked to electronic smoking devices.

On April 1, the Latvian parliament (Saeima) gave initial approval to amendments to the Waste Management Law. The proposal outlines the creation of a nationwide e-cigarette deposit system, to be managed by a designated operator under a unified framework.

Under the scheme, manufacturers and distributors would be required to partner with the system operator. Consumers would pay a deposit when purchasing e-cigarettes and receive a refund upon returning used devices for proper disposal.

Further details—including the structure of collection points, recycling targets, and reporting obligations—will be set by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Kaspars Briškens, chairman of the parliamentary committee overseeing the bill, emphasized that the system is designed to ensure safe collection and recycling, helping to reduce pollution and prevent hazardous materials from entering the environment.

The initiative comes in response to a sharp rise in e-cigarette waste. Over the past five years, discarded devices have become a growing environmental and safety concern. Most e-cigarettes contain lithium-ion batteries, which pose fire risks and can release harmful chemicals if improperly disposed of.

Data from the Latvian Waste Management Companies Association shows that around 15 million e-cigarettes were discarded in 2023, with only 5%—approximately 750,000 units—recycled. The remainder ended up in household waste or landfills. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Climate and Energy reported that lithium-ion batteries are responsible for nearly 48% of fires in the waste management sector, underscoring the urgency of improved disposal systems.

The amendments, prepared by the Ministry of Climate and Energy, are expected to take effect on October 1, pending approval in two additional parliamentary readings.