The management of infectious waste in households amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the quality of infectious waste management in households amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. This study was a qualitative descriptive study and described the level of quality of infectious waste management in the household which was reviewed based on the relevant laws and regulations. The article used secondary legal materials, namely books, journals, articles, and other written works from print and internet media, and the phenomena that occured in the field. The result indicated that the management of infectious waste during a pandemic was not optimal. Government policies were considered ineffective in managing infectious waste in households. Currently, SE Minister of Environment and Forestry Number SE. 2/MENLHK/PSLB3/PLB. 3/3/2021 asserts that the SE merely contains recommendations and guidelines and is not strictly binding, the consequence is that the public is not fully aware of it and its enforcement cannot be carried out optimally because of the limitations of its binding strength, even though infectious waste is B3 waste. It can be emphasized that the management of infectious waste in households amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia was not optimal.