Trends of solid waste generation during COVID-19 Pandemic: A review
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global waste management, highlighting the need for adaptable practices. Health and safety took precedence over environmental concerns, resulting in significant shifts in municipal solid waste management. The increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like ma...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Waste Management Bulletin |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750723000330 |
| _version_ | 1797237856058474496 |
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| author | David B. Olawade Ojima Z. Wada Odunayo T. Ore Aanuoluwapo Clement David-Olawade Deborah T. Esan Bamise I. Egbewole Jonathan Ling |
| author_facet | David B. Olawade Ojima Z. Wada Odunayo T. Ore Aanuoluwapo Clement David-Olawade Deborah T. Esan Bamise I. Egbewole Jonathan Ling |
| author_sort | David B. Olawade |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global waste management, highlighting the need for adaptable practices. Health and safety took precedence over environmental concerns, resulting in significant shifts in municipal solid waste management. The increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves led to a surge in plastic and fiber waste. Changes in consumer behavior, such as online shopping and food delivery, also contributed to higher household waste. Improper waste management posed secondary transmission risks. Healthcare waste, generated in hospitals and quarantine centers, correlated with rising COVID-19 infections. Inadequate practices, including traditional open incineration, exposed communities to toxins. This review examines waste management trends in hospitals and households across various regions during the pandemic. It also discusses waste collectors' challenges and strategies for achieving zero waste. Findings from this study showed that the pandemic's impact on municipal solid waste generation varied across regions, influenced by economic factors. Low-income countries generated less waste per capita than high-income countries. While some regions experienced a reduction in municipal waste due to reduced economic and industrial activities during the pandemic, household waste increased in many countries, driven by changes in consumer behavior and the widespread adoption of PPE. The management of used surgical masks emerged as a significant environmental challenge, with billions of masks discarded monthly, contributing to plastic pollution. Improper disposal of PPE and surgical masks in many developing nations posed health hazards, clogging landfills, and littering the environment. Addressing this issue is crucial to maintaining environmental sustainability. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unique challenges to waste management, necessitating adaptability and innovative solutions. Proper waste management practices are essential to safeguarding public health, preventing environmental pollution, and ensuring a sustainable future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:26:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-de7459b588c04ecb9ca1deba50cbbf6d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2949-7507 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:26:23Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Waste Management Bulletin |
| spelling | doaj.art-de7459b588c04ecb9ca1deba50cbbf6d2024-03-28T06:40:23ZengElsevierWaste Management Bulletin2949-75072024-03-011493103Trends of solid waste generation during COVID-19 Pandemic: A reviewDavid B. Olawade0Ojima Z. Wada1Odunayo T. Ore2Aanuoluwapo Clement David-Olawade3Deborah T. Esan4Bamise I. Egbewole5Jonathan Ling6Department of Allied and Public Health, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, United Kingdom; Corresponding author at: Department of Allied and Public Health, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, United Kingdom.Division of Sustainable Development, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, QatarDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Achievers University, P.M.B. 1030, Owo, NigeriaEndoscopy Unit, Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals, NHS Trust, United KingdomFaculty of Nursing Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaDepartment of Chemistry, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USAFaculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Sunderland, United KingdomThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global waste management, highlighting the need for adaptable practices. Health and safety took precedence over environmental concerns, resulting in significant shifts in municipal solid waste management. The increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves led to a surge in plastic and fiber waste. Changes in consumer behavior, such as online shopping and food delivery, also contributed to higher household waste. Improper waste management posed secondary transmission risks. Healthcare waste, generated in hospitals and quarantine centers, correlated with rising COVID-19 infections. Inadequate practices, including traditional open incineration, exposed communities to toxins. This review examines waste management trends in hospitals and households across various regions during the pandemic. It also discusses waste collectors' challenges and strategies for achieving zero waste. Findings from this study showed that the pandemic's impact on municipal solid waste generation varied across regions, influenced by economic factors. Low-income countries generated less waste per capita than high-income countries. While some regions experienced a reduction in municipal waste due to reduced economic and industrial activities during the pandemic, household waste increased in many countries, driven by changes in consumer behavior and the widespread adoption of PPE. The management of used surgical masks emerged as a significant environmental challenge, with billions of masks discarded monthly, contributing to plastic pollution. Improper disposal of PPE and surgical masks in many developing nations posed health hazards, clogging landfills, and littering the environment. Addressing this issue is crucial to maintaining environmental sustainability. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unique challenges to waste management, necessitating adaptability and innovative solutions. Proper waste management practices are essential to safeguarding public health, preventing environmental pollution, and ensuring a sustainable future.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750723000330COVID-19Environmental healthManagementPlastic pollutionSolid waste |
| spellingShingle | David B. Olawade Ojima Z. Wada Odunayo T. Ore Aanuoluwapo Clement David-Olawade Deborah T. Esan Bamise I. Egbewole Jonathan Ling Trends of solid waste generation during COVID-19 Pandemic: A review Waste Management Bulletin COVID-19 Environmental health Management Plastic pollution Solid waste |
| title | Trends of solid waste generation during COVID-19 Pandemic: A review |
| title_full | Trends of solid waste generation during COVID-19 Pandemic: A review |
| title_fullStr | Trends of solid waste generation during COVID-19 Pandemic: A review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trends of solid waste generation during COVID-19 Pandemic: A review |
| title_short | Trends of solid waste generation during COVID-19 Pandemic: A review |
| title_sort | trends of solid waste generation during covid 19 pandemic a review |
| topic | COVID-19 Environmental health Management Plastic pollution Solid waste |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750723000330 |
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