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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · Jun 8

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...

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...

observer.co.uk

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · Jun 8

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...

Bidders demand Thames Water granted immunity over environmental crimes

Exclusive: ‘Ransom note’ requests would leave Environment Agency unable to prosecute company or management

www.theguardian.com

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · Jun 6

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

events.teams.microsoft.com

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · Jun 6

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...

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

events.teams.microsoft.com

Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · Jun 2

About six months or longer ago surely?

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · Jun 2

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...

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.

www.bbc.co.uk

Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 31

www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk

Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 31

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.

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 31

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...

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

www.theguardian.com

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 30

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

youtu.be/Cxt5WZt1iJw?...

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

YouTube video by Material Focus

youtu.be

Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 30

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

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

Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 26

Elton John or Elton Welsby?

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 26

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/...

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry

Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.

www.theverge.com

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 26

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/...

You and Yours - Vape Ban; RTS Switch Off; Turbine Tourism - BBC Sounds

What will be the impact of the disposable vape ban?

www.bbc.co.uk

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 25

Mountains are cool.

Electric Mountains are way more cool.

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

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

www.theguardian.com

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 24

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

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

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...

www.materialfocus.org.uk

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 24

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...

Sebastião Salgado, photographer known for Amazon rainforest images, dies aged 81

Brazilian photographer’s work highlighted injustice and introduced rainforest to the world

www.theguardian.com

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 21

@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...

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

www.theguardian.com

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Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 18

Mr. Lava, Lava!

theconversation.com/where-should...

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.

theconversation.com

Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 18

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

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

Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 18

The history of The Thick of it.

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

‘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...

www.theguardian.com

Scott Butler @begreenuk.bsky.social · May 12

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...