New publication: Waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic

The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) presents recommendations on how to manage waste during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ISWA considers three overall priorities for waste management during the period of the pandemic of COVID-19:

1. Countries, states/provinces and cities should ensure that waste management, recycling services, treatment and disposal facilities will not be disrupted and no extra risks for public health will be created by improper waste management. Waste management workers, especially those in waste collection, should take additional precautions and ensure health & safety procedures to be protected by any potential infection by the waste streams and/or the equipment;

2. Recycling activities should be re-adjusted to avoid cross-contamination and infections;

3. The increased quantities of healthcare and medical waste should be safely treated and disposed of, making sure that they pose no risk for further infections and pollution.

Please read the recommendations here. 

These recommendations are a result of multiple expert collaborators within the ISWA network and were created to help guide waste management practices during these difficult times. Read more here.