How Environmentally Friendly are Nicotine Pouches?

Introduction

Smoking and vaping produce significant waste. In the UK alone, around 40% of street litter (2) consists of cigarette butts, while we discard approximately 600 million batteries annually (3), with 10,000 kg coming from e-cigarettes that end up in landfills (4).

With nicotine pouches rising in popularity as a replacement for traditional nicotine products, you might wonder: are they really a more environmentally friendly option?

Materials used in nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches are made up of a variety of natural and artificial ingredients that combine to provide a flavourful and enjoyable experience that keeps nicotine cravings at bay, they consist of the following ingredients:

• Nicotine - primary active ingredient and the basis of all pouches

• Cellulose fibres - used as a filler to store and determine the speed of nicotine release

• Stabilisers & pH adjusters - adjusted to work in harmony with oral pH, combined to provide a smoother release of nicotine

• Flavouring - An artificial sweetener used to intensify user experience and make it more enjoyable

• Plant-based non-woven fabric (pouch casing) - material is similar to that used for a tea-bag

Production Process

The production of nicotine pouches has far fewer steps than cigarettes or vaping. It involves extracting nicotine from high-quality tobacco leaves using water or alcohol. This extract is then blended with cellulose fibres, stabilisers, flavouring and pH adjusters, and other fillers to create the desired consistency. The flavoured nicotine mixture is then carefully measured and precisely dispensed into small, plant-based non-woven pouches, which closely resemble the construction of tea bags. These pouches are crafted from sustainable and biodegradable materials, emphasizing eco-friendliness and minimizing environmental impact. After filling, the pouches are securely sealed using a food-grade adhesive to prevent leakage and maintain freshness.

Regarding the carbon footprint, the nicotine pouch production process involves energy-intensive steps, particularly during nicotine extraction and pouch manufacturing. However, the use of renewable resources for pouch materials and sustainable sourcing practices, such as using synthetic nicotine to bypass tobacco reliance altogether, significantly mitigates overall environmental impact, especially when compared to the processes involved in making cigarette filters and vape batteries and electronics. Many manufacturers are actively implementing eco-friendly measures such as reducing water usage, optimising energy efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources to further lower their carbon footprint.

Do nicotine pouches decompose?

Nicotine pouches do break down over time, but decomposition is extremely slow. While plant-based materials are used, the nicotine and other chemicals are poisonous to the environment. Nicotine is actually an insecticide that can cause harm if released into waterways, taking months or even years to decompose completely, if at all. Ultimately, as a whole, nicotine pouches are not biodegradable and should be disposed of in regular waste bins. Nicotine pouch tubs have a section in the lid for you to store your used nicotine pouches. This can be useful if you are not anywhere near a dustbin and want to avoid littering your surroundings. You can open the compartment in the lid and store your used pouches for later disposal.

Do nicotine pouches contain plastic?

Apart from the plastic case, there is no evidence that nicotine pouches contain any micro-plastics. They are typically made from plant-based materials like cellulose fibres, found in plants and tree bark. The only plastic component is the tub which can be recycled at home once finished.

Environmental Impact: Nicotine Pouches vs Cigarettes and Vapes

While all nicotine products generate waste, nicotine pouches have a smaller environmental footprint compared to cigarettes and vapes.

Cigarettes

Cigarettes can take up to 10-15 years to degrade (5). While it is commonly thought that cigarette butts are made up of paper, they are actually made from plastic hence why they take such a significant amount of time to completely decompose. Other items like lighters can be recycled however, as lighter fluid is flammable, they need to be taken to your local hazardous waste disposal centre or recycling centre.

Vapes

Between the use of single-use plastic, heavy metals and hazardous chemicals in the battery, it can take up to 1000 years to fully decompose all components of a vape device (6). While many parts are recyclable, most parts like batteries and mods require specialised recycling bins, making disposal challenging and inconvenient.

Nicotine Pouches

The pouch would take between 6 months to a year to biodegrade completely, depending on the composition and surrounding conditions. The plastic container is recyclable and, again, can be disposed of with other recyclable household items, making disposal much simpler than vapes.

How do different brands of nicotine pouches impact the environment?  

The environmental impact between brands may differ depending on the production process. Sourcing ingredients, energy usage as well as type of packaging can vary. Some brands like Zyn and VELO also provide information on how to recycle their pouches. While ingredients and rations may vary slightly, nicotine pouches are very similar and require the same approach to disposal no matter what brand you are using.

Are Nicotine Pouches Recyclable?

Although you can’t presently recycle your pouches, there are a few brands committed to making changes to their products in order to enhance their sustainability.

• VELO - All cans are now fully recyclable after VELO removed the flex lids to ensure only one type of plastic is used for packaging. These can be disposed of at home or at local recycling collection points and some supermarkets. (7)

• Zyn - Zyn has a full Do’s and Don’ts list in regards to disposal. Their cans include a lid, giving you a place to keep your used pouches if you can’t find a bin and encouraging you to dispose of your pouches correctly. (8)

• Nordic Spirit - Using PP (polypropylene), Nordic Spirit’s cans are widely recycled in the UK but they still advise you to check with your local authorities. (9)

Proper Disposal of Nicotine Pouches

Currently, there are no specific regulations for disposing of nicotine pouches, but responsible disposal is crucial.

• Do not flush nicotine pouches – Nicotine and other ingredients can harm water quality.

• Recycle the plastic container – It can be discarded with household recycling.

• Throw used pouches in the bin – Avoid littering to minimise environmental impact and prevent poisoning of the surrounding natural environment with residual nicotine.

What’s the best way to store nicotine pouches to reduce waste?

If you’re ready to dispose of your nicotine pouch but not near a bin, you can store your used pouch in the top lid compartment of your pack until you can find a rubbish bin. Once you find a rubbish bin, you can tip out your used nicotine pouches and recycle the plastic tub with your home recycling once it's empty.

Are nicotine pouches better for the environment than vaping?

Nicotine pouches offer a much lower environmental impact compared to cigarettes and vapes, as they generate less waste and require simpler disposal. While they are not biodegradable, their recyclable packaging and absence of harmful smoke or battery waste make them a more sustainable nicotine alternative—provided users dispose of them responsibly. Choose nicotine pouches if you want to lessen your impact on the environment, not only do they have a smaller carbon footprint, but they are also much cheaper than smoking and vaping. Take a look at our multi-buy nicotine pouch deals and make the switch today!

Sources

1. westlancs.gov.uk - Cigarette Litter

2. recycle-more.co.uk - Battery Recycling

3. ox.ac.uk - Waste caused by Single-Use Batteries

4. earthday.org - Cigarette Butt waste

5. decadentvapours.com - Environmental Impact of Disposable Vapes

6. velo.com - VELO sustainability

7. zyn.com - Dispose and Recycle Zyn

8. nordicspirit.co.uk - Nordic Spirit recycling