A record number of spent batteries have been collected from schools over the past years, and the campaign is to be extended to the whole nation, to conform with the national waste management plan.

Addressing the launch of the buster school battery campaign, environment minister Leo Brincat lauded Wasteserv for raising more awareness on battery disposal.

The Batterina Directive requires that such a campaign becomes the responsibility of battery producers and not the government. The private sector needs to manage a waste stream aligning with its operations. The directive also sets limits to certain hazardous substances in certain batteries and accumulators namely mercury, cadmium and lead. This is in line with EU Directives.

As per other producer responsibility directives, battery operators, including those importing and placing batteries on the Maltese market, are to set up the necessary collection systems.

Mr Brincat said the aim is that by 2016, the minimum collection rate for waste portable batteries is of 45%.