Swansea Hackspace Disposable Vape Recycling Initiative

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Swansea, Feb 13th 2024 – Members of Swansea Hackspace, a maker space and community group in the centre of Swansea have come up with a unique and sustainable initiative to decorate the hackspace’s shop windows and raise awareness of the throwaway culture of disposable vapes. Andy Rush and Melissa Wheeler, the members behind the project, have collected waste vaping pods and transformed them into decorative geometric shapes. Recently, the government announced that they are planning to ban disposable vapes to put a halt into the child vaping epidemic.

Recognising the growing concern regarding the disposal of vaping pods, which are often non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment, Swansea Hackspace’s members saw an opportunity to make a difference.

Andy, the hackspace member behind the idea, shared the beginnings of the project: ”I was curious of the environmental impact of the disposable vapes after seeing them everywhere. That’s when I discovered they had rechargeable batteries in them that are always useful for small electronics projects so I started collecting them. The vaping tubes were the byproduct of this, but did not want them to go to waste and wondered what I could do with them.” He collaborated with Melissa, another Hackspace member and an automotive and transport design student at University Wales Trinity Saint Davies who added, “I always enjoy a challenge, and helping Andy with this project by designing some of the more complex connections, seemed like an interesting way to spend a few days”.

The collected vaping pods undergo a thorough cleaning and sanitising process before being creatively transformed into various geometrical shapes using 3D printed joints. They not only serve as decorative items but also as conversation starters, highlighting the importance of recycling and sustainability.

Join Us in Making a Difference
Swansea Hackspace is a community group situated in the heart of Swansea. This unique space serves as a hub for makers, hobbyists, and creative minds, providing an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds and age groups can come together to share knowledge, learn new skills, and work on projects.

Equipped with a wide range of tools and technology, Swansea Hackspace caters to a variety of interests, including textiles, 3D printing, electronics, programming, and more. Whether you're a seasoned maker or just starting, the Swansea Hackspace offers a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere for all to explore their creativity and innovation. If you would like to learn more and join the community visit https://swansea.hackspace.org.uk/

Contacts:
About the project: publicity@swansea.hackspace.org.uk

https://swansea.hackspace.org.uk