STATUS AND CHALLENGES OF COVID-19 WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THANE CITY, INDIA

Abstract

Due to enhanced healthcare needs brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of biomedical waste generated has also increased manifold across the globe. With the world in global crisis due to the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has put great pressure on the biomedical waste management system in India and around the world. To control the spread of the COVID-19 virus, proper disposal of the waste is essential to reduce any risk of secondary transmission. This paper investigates the situation of biomedical waste management in the city of Thane in Maharashtra due to the onset of COVID-19 and suggests some key recommendations to the policymakers to help handle biomedical waste from possible future pandemics. The study found that there was an 81% increase in the total biomedical waste (BMW) generation in 2020, when compared to 2019 and the yellow category waste from COVID-19 centres was the highest contributor to this waste. It was also found that though there was a slight increase in yellow category waste, the total biomedical waste from non- COVID healthcare facilities (HCFs) was comparable to that of the waste generated in HCFs during 2019, revealing that there was conscious reduction in the usage of single use PPEs at non- COVID HCFs. The city, despite owning a Central Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF), was dependent on another incinerator at the Hazardous Waste Management Treatment facility (HWTF) for treatment of the additional waste generated. Unforeseen situation like these, expose the vulnerability of our existing biomedical waste management system and reinforces the need for investing and improving them for strengthening preparedness in the future. The situation also demands periodic education on importance of source segregation and waste reduction through rational use, disinfection and disposal of PPEs.