THIRTEEN vapes are thrown away every second in Britain, new research found today. 

Five million single-use vapes were being binned weekly last year, according to campaign group Material Focus.

But now, 8.2 million single-use, single pod, and “big puff” vapes, are thrown away each week — amounting to 13 per second.

New “big puff” vapes have grown in popularity, now accounting for 63 per cent of puffs taken.

Campaigners have raised concerns that these and newer models could potentially bypass new regulations set to ban single-use vapes starting next June.

Scott Butler, executive director of the group, said: “Vape producers are being infinitely creative with their products in order to avoid the forthcoming disposable vape ban.

“While the current ban will take some of the most environmentally wasteful products off the market, we might need more flexible legislation to deal with the ongoing challenges of the new products surging onto the market.”

Libby Peake, head of resources at Green Alliance, said that every single vape "wastes resources that are critical to a more sustainable economy — like lithium, needed for the batteries that power electric cars.”

She added: “When they’re littered, the nicotine, plastic and batteries they contain are all extremely harmful.

“Even when they’re put in a bin, their batteries can catch fire.”

Under the regulations, a single-use vape is defined as one that is not both refillable and rechargeable.

The government says that this will include most “big puff” vapes currently on the market.

Circular economy minister Mary Creagh said: “Single-use vapes are extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities.

“That is why we are banning single-use vapes as we end this nation’s throwaway culture.”