Boroughs

Greater Manchester councillors back calls to ban disposable vapes over ‘environmental impact’

GMCA is calling on the Government to take action before it's too late.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st August 2023

Councillors in Greater Manchester are among those backing calls to ban disposable vapes over growing environmental concerns.

After the Local Government Association (LGA) recently launched an appeal to place a UK-wide ban on the sale of disposable vapes due to the fire risk the devices cause when they enter the waste stream, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the region’s Waste and Recycling Committee has now thrown its support behind the campaign and is calling on the Government to take action before it’s too late.

Ongoing calls for the UK Government to introduce e-cigarette sales restrictions comes ahead of a disposable vape taking effect in France this December 2023, and also just as the EU is proposing a ban in 2026.

The LGA has said that it is crucial for England and Wales to follow in the footsteps of our European neighbours to “avoid a flood of vapes coming into the country”.

Greater Manchester‘s support is expected to be significant, as the region is the largest joint waste disposal authority in the country, and is known to handle a whopping 1.1 million tonnes of municipal waste each year.

ADVERTISEMENT
Greater Manchester councillors back calls to ban disposable vapes / Credit: Sarah Johnson (via Pixabay)

Councillor Alan Quinn, who is the Chair of GMCA’s Waste and Recycling Committee, has written to Environment Secretary Therese Coffey to express his support for the ban.

“Whilst there may be health benefits associated with vapes, the increase in uptake and use is having a major impact on waste management operations from irresponsibly discarded vapes,” Cllr Quinn said in is letter.

ADVERTISEMENT

“These vapes are a hazard for collection crews, waste management facilities, and operatives due to the lithium batteries inside causing fires when pierced, damaged, or crushed.

“An increasing number of fires in waste management facilities and collection trucks are caused by disposable vapes and other items containing lithium batteries within the waste. We had 37 fire related incidents to end of June alone due to Lithium batteries and we’ve just agreed to spend £100,000 on thermal cameras to monitor for fires in our facilities.”

Two jailed for violent robbery of £45,000-worth of vapes
There are growing environmental and fire concerns over disposable vapes / Credit: Unplash

Cllr Quinn and the region’s Waste and Recycling Committee has also proposed that the Government go “one step further” and introduce a deposit return scheme for disposable vapes too – which would essentially see users receive credit in return for their used vapes, so that the lithium contained within them can “captured and recycled”.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Aside from the environmental impact of waste related fires, such incidents also cause significant disruption to waste services,” Cllr Quinn continued.

“There’s also knock-on impacts for residents if collection rounds are not completed.

Read more:

“The council taxpayers of Greater Manchester shouldn’t be left to pick up the bill for the dumping of these vapes”.

Featured Image – ELFBAR

Boroughs

Five retired GMP officers arrested following investigation into sexual exploitation of a girl in the 1960s

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Five retired police officers have been arrested as part of an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in Manchester in the 1960s.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that the arrests were made after months of detailed enquiries to identify suspects from allegations made by a woman – who was younger than 16 at the time when the offending began.

Some of the offenders are believed to be officers from a dedicated unit that worked to safeguard sex workers in Manchester at the time, according to GMP.

Three of the arrests were made after warrants were executed in Bolton, Bury, and Trafford last month, while the other two suspects were arrested this month.

The suspects – who are each between the ages of 73 and 81 – have been questioned on suspicion of sexual offences and misconduct, and at this time, GMP says they are on conditional bail as police enquiries continue.

The victim involved is also being continuously supported by specialist officers and partner agencies throughout the investigation.

GMP said in a statement of intent that ‘no matter when abuse has taken place’ and ‘no matter who by’ either, the force is there to listen to and support victims, and take necessary action.

“We commend the woman’s courage for coming forward and supporting this investigation,” commented Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said.

“We do not underestimate how difficult it is for her to relive details of this horrendous abuse decades on from the time it was happening, and I’m sure the public will be as troubled as I am that five former officers are suspected of being involved in the abuse of a woman when she was a vulnerable child and adult who needed their protection.”

Five retired GMP officers have been arrested following an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in the 1960s / Credit: RawPixel

ACC Parker insisted that ‘no abuser is immune from justice’ and ‘time is no barrier’.

She continued: “The GMP of today is absolutely committed to ensuring victims are listened to and supported, regardless of who’s committed these offences and how long ago it occurred.

Read more:

“Our investigation will go to all necessary lengths to uncover the full facts of these allegations and to ensure any offenders are rightly brought to justice.”

Anyone affected by this case, or who may have any relevant information, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting ‘Op Salvador’.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

Boroughs

Inside the million-pound four bedroom barn conversion in Cheshire

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s a million-pound barn conversion just gone up for sale in Cheshire, and of course, we couldn’t resist looking around.

This property is nestled in the idyllic village of Warburton in Lymm, just a short 40-minute drive from Manchester.

The four-bedroom, two-bath property spans over two properties, featuring a nice little detached garage and a cosy back garden.

At first glance, you may be captivated by the sheer beauty that is the grand barn-twanged canopy which overhangs the property’s driveway, but we’ve still got a barn conversion to explore.

The minimalistic kitchen with accompanying island and breakfast bar.
The minimalistic kitchen with accompanying island and breakfast bar.
The dining room separated by that quirky three-arch brick wall.
The dining room separated by that quirky three-arch brick wall.
Credit: On The Market

Titled ‘The Barn Birch Farm‘, as you enter through the front door and turn left, you’re greeted by a three-arch red brick wall which separates the kitchen from the dining space.

The kitchen is sleek black all around with a large island which also doubles as a breakfast bar in the middle of the room, which is also where the hob can be found.

Each room in this Cheshire barn conversion seems to wow us even more, and this time it’s the living room which captures our attention, thanks to the large log beams which perfectly frame the TV.

There’s an equally impressive log beam and archway which acts as a break between the main living space and a more snug seating area with a hearty fireplace taking centre stage.

If all that lounging around has you tired out, then you’re in luck as the bedroom is right next door with a large open-plan wardrobe and mezzanine en-suite.

There’s a spiral staircase that connects the bedroom to the mezz, which consists of both a shower and a bath. Very stylish and pretty lush, to say the least.

The main bedroom of the barn conversion with above mezzanine en-suite.
The main bedroom of the barn conversion with above mezzanine en-suite.
The bath and shower in the mezzanine en-suite overlooking the bedroom.
The bath and shower in the mezzanine en-suite overlooking the bedroom.
Credit: On The Market

All the bedrooms are situated under a wooden-beamed vaulted ceiling, which further adds to the character of the property – not a room goes without a sprinkle of this country-barn style.

Each of the first-floor bedrooms has its own skylight too, meaning once you’ve stopped admiring all the intricate barn details, you can opt for a bit of stargazing.

The garden is quite the sight as well, providing the barn conversion with its own mini forest and garage with not one but two undercover car parking spaces.

This barn conversion is the perfect property for anyone wanting to live out their cottage-core fantasy on a much larger scale.

Obviously, the price tag is out of a lot of our reach, but when a house looks as good as this, we can’t help but have a nosy. So, what do you make of The Barn Birch Farm? You can view all the pictures and find out more information HERE.

The snug area just behind the main living room, separated by the gorgeous wooden beams.
The snug area just behind the main living room, separated by the gorgeous wooden beams.
All the bedrooms have their own wooden beams which helps keep the barn character alive throughout the property.
All the bedrooms have their own wooden beams which helps keep the barn character alive throughout the property.
Credit: On The Market

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image: Supplied via On The Market

More Boroughs

Art & Culture

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 5 – 11 May 2025

Boroughs

You can live in a Greater Manchester manor house from the 1700s

Travel warning issued ahead of busiest weekend of the year for Manchester Marathon

Boroughs

Travel warning issued as Manchester braces for busiest day of the year so far

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches