COVID-19 and municipal solid waste (MSW) management: a review

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) represents an inevitable by-product of human activity and a major crisis for communities across the globe. In recent times, the recycling of MSW has drawn attention as the process can add value through resources from the recovered waste materials and facilitates the process of circular economy. However, during the unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the risk of infection with the highly contagious virus has proven detrimental to the continuation of MSW as a valuable resource. The volume of waste, especially household waste, is higher; face masks, PPE (personal protective equipment), and hazardous materials such as batteries and empty chlorine bottles are examples of extra waste that have arisen during the pandemic. Various countries have set up initiatives for MSW management, including safety measurements for employees in the MSW management sector. The use of disinfectant prior to sorting waste, as well as storing waste for 9 days, may help to inactivate the COVID-19 virus, ensuring an appropriate safety level for MSW management. This work aimed at studying different MSW management strategies, specific challenges, and possible solutions for better understanding for those involved in waste management, in addition to providing a possible management strategy during and post-COVID-19 pandemic. Graphical abstract

Solid waste composition and COVID-19-induced changes in an inland water ecosystem in Turkey

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, several measures and plans were implemented to reduce and control municipal solid waste (Ducoli et al 2021 ; Das et al 2021 ; Lan et al 2022 ; Singh et al 2022 ). The main idea behind the measures was to reduce the contamination risk of the virus (Cruvinel et al 2019 ).…”

Effects of temperature and relative humidity on the COVID-19 pandemic in different climates: a study across some regions in Algeria (North Africa)

“…We can think that the mask, by reducing the viral load, would allow its wearer to develop less symptomatic forms of the disease and, at the same time, to acquire protection against COVID-19. Moreover, several in-home measures such as liquid chlorine, alcohol, and sanitizer to prevent the spread of infection have been adopted from community (Das et al 2021). Also, the physical distancing among with an establishment a field monitoring to observe the extent of compliance with the health protocol is mandatory.…”

Biomedical waste generation and management during COVID-19 pandemic in India: challenges and possible management strategies

“…C-BMW generated at home do not have access to CBMWTFs; hence, they were generally disposed of with municipal solid waste (MSW). This practice has increased the MSW generation drastically in India and in other developing countries as well (Kulkarni and Anantharama 2020;Vanapalli et al 2021;Das et al 2021a). Even developed countries with a well-established MSW management system reported a surge in MSW generation due to the disposal of PPEs in MSW (Das et al 2021b).…”