Scott Butler

Is this the end of disposable vapes? | The Observer As rates of vaping continue to rise across the UK, a health and environmental crisis is unfolding. Will the banning of single-use vapes in the UK turn th...

We are one week on from the UK disposable vapes ban.

To be honest, not much seems to have changed.

And the “in your face” public takeback that is desperately needed to help meet the environmental and fire risk challenges is still a vape dream.

observer.co.uk/listen/daily...

Bidders demand Thames Water granted immunity over environmental crimes Exclusive: ‘Ransom note’ requests would leave Environment Agency unable to prosecute company or management

Water palaver!

Thames Water was debt free when it was privatised in 1989. It has paid dividends to shareholders of around £10 billion since then and now sits on a debt burden of around £20 billion.

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Don’t miss our first online round table - this one on the environmental and fire risks from e-bikes and e-scooters.

Join us online Wednesday 11th June, 2-4pm as we map out the current situation and agree how to move forward as a sector.

events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b1af8d...

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Material Focus Circular Electricals Fund webinar next Wednesday lunchtime 11th June.

£1 million is available to support and accelerate new ideas aimed at reducing e-waste and keeping electricals - and their materials - in use for longer.

Sign up here - events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2e126d...

About six months or longer ago surely?

Kent County Council to be subject of Reform's first Reform to begin Musk-style audits of councils - BBC News Reform says a team lead by an as-yet unnamed tech entrepreneur will review council spending in Kent.

Hands up who thinks an unelected volunteer group of “entrepreneurs” and successful (?) businessMEN with next to no experience of ever running public services are equipped to review how best those services can be delivered.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk

Talking vapes and all things electricals on BBC Breakfast News red sofa earlier today.

Anything and everything with a plug, battery or cable has value.

Old or unwanted electricals should be:

🔧 fixed
💷 sold
💖 donated
♻ recycled

❌ 🚮 they should never ever be binned.

Vapers warned not to stockpile ‘fire risk’ disposables before UK ban The ban, enforced from Sunday, is designed to reduce youth vaping and tackle environmental damage

Actually it is even more than 5 million reported here. Our last report puts it at just over 8 million vapes a week being binned or littered.

Will the disposable vapes sale ban make any difference?

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

YouTube video by Material Focus Material Focus webinar - Government guidance on how to comply as a vape producer or retailer

The slide deck and recording of our recent cross agency vapes webinar is now available. ⬇️

youtu.be/Cxt5WZt1iJw?...

Safe and easy ways to recycle electricals – and even get money for your old gadgets From collection bins at your local supermarket to trading in or reselling, there are options for unwanted tech

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Elton John or Elton Welsby?

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.

In the 2010 UK TV general election debates everyone was rushing over themselves to agree with Nick.

Is anyone agreeing with Nick now?

www.theverge.com/news/674366/...

You and Yours - Vape Ban; RTS Switch Off; Turbine Tourism - BBC Sounds What will be the impact of the disposable vape ban?

Radio 4 You and Yours earlier today talking about why the disposable vapes UK sales ban will not fix the issues without much more action.

From 40 minutes in.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Mountain marvel: how one of biggest batteries in Europe uses thousands of gallons of water to stop blackouts ‘Much-loved’ Dinorwig hydroelectric energy storage site in Wales has a vital role to play in keeping the lights on

Mountains are cool.

Electric Mountains are way more cool.

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Vapocalypse could continue after the disposable vape ban on 1st June - Material Focus Media Release, 22nd May 2025 Material Focus forecasts that new vapes, including “pods and big puff”  are set to cause...

Vapocalypse could continue after the disposable vape ban on 1st June

www.materialfocus.org.uk?press-releas...

Sebastião Salgado, photographer known for Amazon rainforest images, dies aged 81 Brazilian photographer’s work highlighted injustice and introduced rainforest to the world

Sad news about the passing of the inspiring Sebastião Salgado.

A great artist and activist with a big and positive legacy. Consolations to his family and friends.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Demand for copper to dramatically outstrip supply within decade International Energy Agency says it is ‘time to sound alarm’ over future shortages of metal needed for low-carbon transition

@fionaharvey.bsky.social in the @theguardian.com

At Material Focus and @recycleelectricals.bsky.social we looked at how the copper urban mine of old and unwanted electricals could play a part in meeting the demand for copper and other technology metals.

www.materialfocus.org.uk/report-and-r...

Where should we look for new metals that are critical for green energy technology? Volcanoes may point the way Ancient volcanoes in New South Wales created a rich deposit of precious rare earths – and left clues for finding more.

Mr. Lava, Lava!

theconversation.com/where-should...

A circular copper economy can cut carbon emissions and aid future supplies, experts urge Copper supplies are becoming increasingly uncertain. As extraction companies dig deeper to find it, will recycling be the answer of the future?

www.yourweather.co.uk/news/trendin...

‘I’m from Glasgow – the swearing came naturally!’ The full uncensored history of The Thick of It It was the political satire that gave us omnishambles, pet asbos and the terrifying Malcolm Tucker. Two decades on, creator Armando Iannucci and stars including Peter Capaldi and Rebecca Front lift th...

The history of The Thick of it.

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

After Blair’s bombshell, will Labour stick with or abandon net zero? Under pressure from Reform and under fire from Tony Blair, Keir Starmer is facing a series of tests of his resolve on green policy

Interesting read from @fionaharvey.bsky.social of @theguardian.com on the political pressure building around net zero in the UK. It isn't just the usual sceptics/subjects asking some challenging questions. www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

YouTube video by Nizzinny Top Secret!: I know a little German.

Sad news about Val Kilmer passing away.

Top Secret remains one of my favourite films.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P22g...

'We use them every day': In some parts of the US, the clack of typewriter keys can still be heard Computers and smartphones might be where most writing is done these days, but typewriters still have work to do in the US.

You’re just are my type.

The good old typewriter is hanging on in there.

www.bbc.com/future/artic...

Citing melting glaciers, Peruvian farmer tests global climate law In the high Andes of northern Peru, the morning sun rises over glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca mountains that loom above the city of Huaraz, an awe-inspiring sight tainted by fears of a growing threat of meltwater floods.

Citing melting glaciers, Peruvian farmer tests global climate law - www.reuters.com/business/env...

Marco Rubio says South Africa’s ambassador to US is ‘no longer welcome’ US secretary of state accuses Ebrahim Rasool of being a ‘race-baiting politician who hates America’ and Donald Trump

Whatever happened to diplomatic immunity?

#jossackland

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Everyone has gone nuts for pistachios. But they’re just an upmarket green peanut, aren’t they? | Emma Brockes In chocolate, martinis and croissant, they may be tasty, but let’s not kid ourselves about the health benefits, says Guardian columnist Emma Brockes

Pistachiyo or pistachino?

As long time lover of pistachio ice cream, I have noticed that pistachios are defo having a moment.

From Dubai chocolate to velvet latte to martinis and to easter eggs, the swanky green peanut is everywhere.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

UK Treasury eyes spending cuts at GB Energy in blow to Ed Miliband State-owned company was set up with mission to invest in renewables and decarbonisation of the grid

HM Treasury is looking at cutting the funding for GB Energy and the Warm Homes Programme. Plus the remit of the £28 billion National Wealth Fund has changed so that it can invest in the defence industry as well as decarbonising Britain’s heavy industry.

www.ft.com/content/8379...

Vermonters protesting on US VP JD Vance visiting for a short skiing holiday this weekend are giving off strong Craggy Island vibes.

Mine copper without destroying the planet? London-based project gives scientists hope Experts hope research can create greener methods of extracting the metal vital for renewable energy revolution and boom in electrical devices

Get off of our land!

More should be done to look at urban mining copper from old and unwanted eletricals. See www.materialfocus.org.uk/report-and-r...

www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...