Waste management systems around the globe are under tremendous strain as thousands of tonnes of healthcare waste have been generated as a result of COVID-19.
Safe waste management mechanisms for healthcare waste are lacking, especially in developing countries. Plastic poses an intrinsic threat to human and environmental health.
Why Healthcare waste is posing a threat?
Healthcare waste is considered the second most hazardous waste in the world after radiation waste. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, healthcare solid waste generation has increased rapidly.
The estimates point out that over 140 million test kits, with the potential to generate 26,000 tonnes of non-infectious waste, mainly plastic, have been generated. Along with the significant amount of chemical waste.
Globally, over 8 billion vaccine doses have been administered, resulting in 144,000 tons of additional waste such as syringes, needles, etc.
In the beginning, when the world was grappling with the immediate need for personal protective equipment, not much attention and resources were devoted to the safe and sustainable management of medical waste.
Additionally, the report highlights the estimated value of more than 3.4 billion single-use masks that will be discarded every day in 2020. Since most of the masks are made of plastic, it ends up polluting water bodies and land. The situation is exacerbated in less developed countries which do not have effective waste management systems.
Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said that, “it is absolutely vital to provide health workers with the right PPE, but it is also vital to ensure that it can be used safely without impacting on the surrounding environment.”
A robust waste management system, including guidelines for health workers on how to dispose personal protective equipment and other health commodities, is therefore essential.
Lack of resources
In the least developed countries, 60% of healthcare facilities are unable to handle their existing waste loads, according to WHO data. This disparity between first world and third world countries unfolds the potential threat to human and environmental health.
“COVID-19 has forced the world to reckon the gaps and neglected aspects of the waste stream and how do we produce, use and discard of our health care resources from the cradle to grave,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Environment, Climate Change and Health at WHO.
Suggestions
According to a recent report, there is a “dire need” to follow more environmentally sustainable waste disposal practices. The recommendations include:
- Eco- friendly packaging and shipping
- Re-usable PPE
- Use of biodegradable material
- Investment in non- burn waste management technologies
- Investment in recycling sectors to ensure the reuse of certain materials
A few creative examples of reusing medical waste were cited in the report. According to WHO, the crisis has created an opportunity to strengthen the system, to sustainably reduce waste, to develop strong national policies, and increase budgets.