A Riot Of Recycling
Riot Labs launches the countries first “carbon negative” disposable vape, QBAR, using sustainable materials and supporting recycling initiatives
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by Dave Cross
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The launch marks an important moment for Riot Labs and kicks off a bigger brand campaign that launches today (10 Jan 2022). Ben Johnson, who founded Riot Labs in 2016, is targeting 2022 as a crucial milestone to tackling smoking cessation.
Johnson said: “2022 marks a major moment in Riot Labs’ journey. The launch of QBAR, our first venture into disposables, and our new brand campaign, is all geared up to changing the status quo on smoking cessation and continue to deliver on our mission to help people quit smoking.”
Available in stores UK-wide from the 11th of January, the sleek and compact device is the first disposable launch for Riot Labs - who has blazed a trail in the e-liquid space with its multi-award-winning products.
Available in vape stores and online, the 10-strong disposable range will come in the brand award winning, UK manufactured flavours; Cherry Fizzle, Triple Mint, Sweet Strawberry, Blue Burst, Watermelon Ice, Menthol Ice, Strawberry & Blueberry Ice, Mango, Peach & Pineapple, Grape Ice and Classic Tobacco, and 3 nicotine strengths; 2%, 1%, 0%.
Historically, disposable E-cigarettes have been scrutinised for having a drastic impact on the environment when procured, used, or destroyed, as they contribute to landfill and hazardous waste, carbon emissions and non-adherence to environmental regulations. All current disposable E-cigarettes on the market that are taken to recycling can’t be recycled due to their design and end up in landfill, Riot Labs have combatted this issue with engineering the QBAR with recyclability in mind.
Since launching in 2016, Riot Labs’ mission has been to become the most sustainable Vape brand on the planet, paving the way for the rest of the industry to follow. The latest QBAR launch has achieved a net negative carbon footprint through a suite of initiatives including reducing waste, carbon emissions, and adhering to environmental regulations, which are a landmark step for the industry.
The device is made from three elements, that are all 100% recyclable:
- Outer casing - PLA plastic cornstarch which is decomposable, but will be recycled into clothing, vinyl records and material for 3D printing.
- Internal - 420 MAH A* battery which will be being reused in future devices and other electronic devices
- Mouthpiece - which contains the liquid, will be incinerated power going into the national grid
Riot Labs is also launching a Riot Recycle programme to make it simple for stores and customers to recycle their devices, which are usable for 550 (equivalent of 30 cigarettes) puffs before needing to be disposed of. Consumers can drop their QBARs off at Riot Recycling Bins in specialist stores - which are all searchable on the Riot website - for them to be sent off for dismantling and recycling.
Ambitiously aiming for Zero Waste, Riot Labs also plans to work with stores to track how much waste each has saved so they can continue to optimise and find ways to reduce even further, in a bid to become an entirely carbon negative company.
Johnson, who has set a mission to change the status quo of smoke cessation through immersive vape activations, added: “From day one, it’s been our mission to help people quit smoking for good, through creating products that are better for people, and better for the planet.
“Everywhere you look, companies are making efforts to be greener but that isn’t happening fast enough in the vape sector. We’re proud to lead the way with the first carbon negative disposable device - with its unique benefits we believe it will make a big impact on people’s smoking cessation journeys.”
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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