Fires caused by batteries thrown out with household waste are occurring every month, leading WasteServ to launch a nationwide campaign warning the public of the risks posed to workers, emergency responders and critical waste infrastructure.

The incidents are at the heart of Be Smart. No Spark, a public campaign launched by WasteServ Monday in collaboration with the Civil Protection Department to tackle the improper disposal of batteries and electronic waste.

A single discarded battery can spark a serious fire when crushed during waste collection or processing, which is why WasteServ is embarking on providing practical information on how to dispose of batteries safely and create awareness about the risks.

With batteries now found in an ever-growing range of everyday products - from wireless headphones and electric toothbrushes to toys, power banks and disposable vapes - many end up unnoticed in household waste.

Once collected, these items can be punctured, crushed or damaged during transportation and processing, causing fires that can ignite suddenly and spread rapidly.

Be Smart. No Spark is urging the public to stop and think before throwing away anything containing a battery and to ensure batteries and electronic devices are disposed of through the appropriate channels.

Speaking about the campaign, WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca said the purpose of the initiative is to bring to the fore of people's minds the very real and growing danger of improperly disposing of a single battery.

"Batteries and electronic devices are part of our everyday lives, yet many are still unaware of how these items should be disposed of when they reach the end of their useful life.

"Our aim is to encourage people to stop and think before throwing electronic devices away. Our responsibility is to protect our employees, safeguard our facilities and help the public understand that a simple action on their part can make a very big difference."

Civil Protection Department director general Peter Paul Coleiro said battery-related fires could gain intensity very rapidly and lead to loss of life.

"The public should exercise extreme caution when disposing of batteries. If the message of this campaign is heeded, serious fires can be prevented."

Over the coming months, the campaign will continue to build on its initial message by helping the public identify e-waste, recognise hidden batteries in everyday products, and understand how these items should be disposed of correctly by dropping them off at one of the Civic Amenity Sites or Roadshow Trucks.

Further information on batteries, e-waste and available drop-off options is available on WasteServ's dedicated campaign website: wsm.com.mt/be-smart.