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Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Municipal Solid Waste and Medical Waste: A Comparative Review of Selected Countries

Authors :
Ahmed Osama Daoud
Hoda Elattar
Gaber Abdelatif
Karim M. Morsy
Robert W. Peters
Mohamed K. Mostafa
Source :
Biomass, Vol 4, Iss 2, Pp 555-573 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted many daily activities and services we depend on. Due to changes in waste quantity and types, solid waste management (SWM) services such as waste collection, transportation, and treatment/disposal suffered. Global rules and mandates were issued to address these changes and the COVID-19 pandemic. This mini review examines seven countries and summarises the pandemic’s effects on municipal solid waste (MSW) and medical waste (MW) generation in terms of amount and composition, the SWM sector’s challenges, and government or other SWM guidelines and management measures. The data are analysed to provide suggestions for stakeholders on SWM worker protection, waste segregation, and recycling. This article identified that extending MW incineration, separating infectious waste at the source, and discontinuing recycling for infection control are the best ways to manage solid waste. The waste management system’s readiness was crucial to the pandemic response. Thus, countries like China, which has a robust SWM system, were able to contain the crisis and restrict danger, while others with weaker systems struggled. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of revising waste management policies and developing crisis response strategies that integrate flexible, innovative solutions to adapt quickly to changing waste demands and ensure public health and environmental protection during global health crises.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
26738783
Volume :
4
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Biomass
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.74435430fef14b5fbb5a7ec29d315521
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4020030