Why does WasteServ have its own Fire Engine?

Good question! You might be wondering why a waste management company like WasteServ needs its own fire truck. The answer? Fire risks.

Managing waste, whether at landfills or material recovery facilities, comes with fire hazards. Some fires are easy to spot, but others can burn undetected beneath the surface, reaching depths of 12 metres or more.

Fires in landfills can start when hazardous waste, especially electronic devices, is improperly disposed of in the black bag. Items like mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and headphones can ignite if crushed, punctured, or exposed to heat.

Think tossing an old phone into the recycling bag is a better option? Think again. Batteries can ignite during sorting and handling, putting our employees and facilities at serious risk. And what’s usually in your recycling bag? Paper, which catches fire easily, and plastic, which burns fast and at high temperatures.

How are we tackling the problem?

At WasteServ, we take fire prevention very seriously. We’ve upgraded firefighting systems at all our facilities, inspect every garbage truck that arrives, and provide our staff with specialised fire safety training. 

Now, we’ve taken an extra step: we’ve invested in our own fire engine to act fast while we wait for the Civil Protection Department to arrive. But even with all these measures in place, a single mobile phone buried in a truckload of waste can still slip through the cracks.

This is where you come in! 

We’re spreading the word with a little help from our youngest recyclers!

We believe the best way to spread this important message is through our children. They’re great at sharing what they learn—not just with their parents, but with friends, family, and their entire community. That’s why we’ve launched an educational campaign in schools, teaching kids about electronic waste hazards in a fun and engaging way.  

 And guess what? We might be coming to a school near you! Our fire engine, Roadshow Truck, and even our superheroes—General Buzz, Commander Yellow, and the Garbage Monster—will be there. So, keep an eye out, because we can’t wait to meet you!

A perfect fit with the European Week for Waste Reduction

This initiative also ties in perfectly with this year’s European Week for Waste Reduction theme, which focuses on one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the EU: electronic waste. 

By following these steps, we can preserve valuable materials that are costly—not just for the environment, but also for human health when extracted. 

More information about this initiative can be found here.