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Forum: ECOSOC
Issue: Measures to reduce non-biodegradable waste
Student Officer: Maria Meri
Position: Co-Chair
Introduction
Food waste over the last decade has increased rapidly and significantly. People all around the world
produce a lot of wastes in a daily routine, which they either throw away or discard them. Kitchen wastes
and expendable items are some examples of substances which people use. The expendable items are
usually made from materials such as paper, plastic, glass etc. From the other side, kitchen wastes could
be vegetables and fruit peels. These substances are named biodegradable substances because they
can be easily broken down by active bacteria and other decomposers. Unfortunately, all other materials
are extremely difficult to be broken down.
Technology in order to ameliorate livelihood and facilitate people’s lives gave birth to an innovative form
of life. For instance, plastic bottles are convenient to use and carry however its disposal affects
negatively the environment. As a result, tons of materials are wasted by humans widely every day, but
only some of them are actually harmful for the environment. That’s why waste materials could be
categorised in two groups: The biodegradable and the non-biodegradable materials.
All these lead us to the conclusion that all non-biodegradable materials are harmful and should be
banned. However, this topic should be approached from a more wide perspective, taking into
consideration not only the environmental aspect of the issue but also the economic and social. It is
logical t that by cutting off their disposal not only people will be frustrated but the global economy will
have to face a huge financial blow. To conclude, since ECOSOC’s responsibility is to examine all issues
from a more general point or view the solutions to the problem should be more precise and effective than
just denying what technology has offered to humanity.
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Definition of Key Terms
Waste: Is the act of consuming, spending or employing uselessly or without giving full value or being
fully utilized or appreciated.1
Biodegradable waste: Bio-waste is defined as biodegradable garden and park waste, food and kitchen
waste from households, restaurants, caterers and retail premises, and comparable waste from food
processing plants. It does not include forestry or agricultural residues, manure, sewage sludge, or other
biodegradable waste such as natural textiles, paper or processed wood. It also excludes those by-
products of food production that never become waste.2
Non-biodegradable waste: A Non-Biodegradable material can be defined as a kind of substance which
cannot be broken down by natural organisms and acts as a source of pollution. Unlike biodegradable
wastes, non-biodegradable cannot be easily handled. Non-biodegradable wastes are those who cannot
be decomposed or dissolved by natural agents. They remain on earth for thousands of years without any
degradation.3
Municipal waste: Municipal waste covers household waste and waste similar in nature and composition
to household waste.4
Biodegradable municipal waste: Biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) comprises those elements of
the municipal waste streams that will rot or degrade biologically. The main constituents of the
biodegradable proportion of municipal waste are typically parks and garden waste, food waste, timber,
paper, card and textiles. 5
1 “Waste.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/waste.
2 “Biodegradable Waste.” Biodegradable Waste - Environment - European Commission,
ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/compost/index.htm.
3 Admin. “Biodegradable And Non-Biodegradable - Definition, Examples & Treatment.” BYJUS,
BYJU'S, 7 Dec. 2020, byjus.com/chemistry/biodegradable-and-non-biodegradable/.
4 https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/342366/351811/Municipal+Waste+guidance/bd38a449-7d30-
44b6-a39f-8a20a9e67af2
5 https://www.epa.ie/media/EPA_NWR12_Chapter%204.pdf\
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Waste Disposal:
Removing and destroying or storing damaged, used or other unwanted domestic, agricultural or industria
l products and substances. Disposal includes burning, burial at landfill sites or at sea, and recycling.6
Micro plastics: Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimetres long which can be
harmful to our ocean and aquatic life.7
Background Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
Types of waste
Industrial Waste:
Industrial waste is used in order to describe materials which are useless after the manufacturing process
is done. It can be categorised in types of industrial waste such as Solid Waste, Toxic Waste, Chemical
Waste and Secondary waste. First of all Solid Waste is related to animal remains to food, non-recyclable
glass and electrical components. From the other side, toxic waste can contaminate waterways, including
rivers and lakes, causing widespread damage if not handled properly. Generally, these materials are by-
products of other materials generated at factories, hospitals and other manufacturing facilities. Finally, as
far as chemical waste is concerned factories, plants and other types of processing centres typically
generate this type of waste, which include various types of chemicals and their residues. All types of
waste can be proven to be both hazardous and non-hazardous. However, both are harmful for the
environment and can cause permanent or not damage.
Domestic Waste:
It is similar to household waste and has been one of the most important causes of severe harm to the rur
6 https://www.thefreedictionary.com/waste+disposal
7 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html
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al environment due to the large quantities of waste released and improper disposal. Non-
hazardous waste and hazardous waste can form part of this waste. Non-
hazardous waste, which can be recycled or composted, can include food scraps, paper, bottles, etc. Batt
eries and household cleaners are examples of harmful waste. The management of hazardous waste is c
ritical. It is crucial that hazardous waste is handled in a safe manner to ensure that they are disposed
properly so they do not cause harm.
Agricultural Waste:
Agricultural waste refers to waste produced as a consequence of various agricultural activities. It
includes manure and other waste from farms, poultry houses and slaughterhouses; waste from
harvesting; fertilizer run-off from fields; pesticides entering water, air or soil; and field-drained salt and
silt. Management of agriculture is a dynamic process requiring individual attention in order to resolve
issues relating to all functional elements, such as water, fertilizers and biocides. A key constraint faced in
the management of agricultural waste is the lack of data on various geographical regions. Therefore a
tangible mechanism for the development of an international database on the amount, composition and
characteristics of agro-waste is urgently required.
Commercial Waste:
It is possible to describe commercial waste as any waste other than domestic waste. It may be produced
from regular maintenance of the business premises as a result of the operation of a non-profit
organization or the operation of a business, including associated lawn and garden clippings. Commercial
waste often involves waste generated by customers of a company (e.g. food wrappers and containers).
Industrial waste is not approved by some waste facilities.
Difference between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable
The major differences between the two types of waste are the following. First of all, Degradation process
in Biodegradable waste is rapid in contrary to the non-biodegradable waste which might need years.
Moreover, Non-Biodegradable waste cannot be decomposed by microbes, but biodegradable can. From
the one side, biodegradable waste are not accumulated but they are used in a short time period. From
the other side non-biodegradable waste often accumulates. To continue, most of the Non-Biodegradable
waste never enters into biogeochemical cycles which are something biodegradable waste do. Finally,
Biodegradable waste is used to produce energy manure, compost and biogas. However, Non-
Biodegradable waste can be separated and recycled but the process is very expensive.
SUBTOPICS
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Minimizing the hazardous effects of non-biodegradable waste
Effects on Marine Life
In the oceans and estuaries, non-biodegradable plastic containers can damage fish, seabirds and other
marine life. Plastic-eating animals can strangle or experience digestive issues. Microplastics, tiny
polypropylene or polyethylene pieces, hide under the water and also pose a risk. As of September 2014,
researchers from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science have been creating biodegradable microbeads
that break down when they are eaten by microbes in marine water.
Effects on the land
There is a small amount of land on the earth, and people waste it when they dispose of products that are
not biodegradable. Materials which do not naturally decompose can remain in landfills and take up space
much longer than biodegradable materials. Any non-biodegradable garbage can not even make it into
landfills when people litter. It can make its way through forests, parks, fields, and the sea instead.
Side effects of non-biodegradable waste
Although biodegradation benefits humans, animals and the climate, it can trigger a few issues. Too much
biodegradable waste will deplete the oxygen in a water source. Additionally, if too much is generated,
some forms of biodegradable waste, such as cattle manure, may trigger health and environmental
concerns.
Addressing the economic aspect of the issue
Waste is a part of the economy. It can’t disappear but that doesn’t mean that It can’t be minimized. While
waste in all types negatively affects the environment the economic effects are also of major importance.
The effects of waste in general to the economy are numerous. When resources are produced and used
in ways that lead to their disposal as waste, the loss of those resources is an economic loss. When
resources can be saved, reused, recovered or used more efficiently, there is a net economic gain. The
materials recovery industry makes a significant contribution to the economy. As a result both
biodegradable and non biodegradable wastes affect the economic. However since non biodegradable
waste is based on products made by industries we can understand the fact that the economic impact is
more severe in that case. However non biodegradable products are fundamental for the development of
the economy and that’s because nowadays economy is mostly based in industrial products trade. So, if
non-biodegradable materials were banded from market a lot of industries would close and
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unemployment would be increased. To conclude, it is important to minimise non-biodegradable waste by
not abolishing non-biodegradable materials.
Achieving the 12th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
The 12th SDG reads are follows: “Responsible Consumption and Production” which is highly related to
the topic this SG is dealing with.
A few facts and figures:
Yearly, an estimated one third of all food produced equal to 1.3 billion tones worth around $1 trillion,
ends up rotting or spoiling in the bins of customers and retailers due to inadequate transport and
harvesting practices. The planet would save US$120 billion annually if individuals worldwide converted
to energy-efficient light bulbs.
So sustainable consumption and production is possible and has to do with doing more and better with
less. It aims to achieve economic growth from environmental degradation, increase resource efficiency
and promote sustainable lifestyles. Sustainable consumption and production are about doing something
for less and doing more. Sustainable consumption and development can also make a major contribution
to the alleviation of poverty and the transition to low-carbon and green economies.
Major Countries and Organizations Involved
Ireland
Ireland meets EU waste regulatory targets for the recovery and recycling of waste packaging, waste
electrical and electronic appliances, batteries & accumulators and the removal of biodegradable
municipal waste from landfill sites. Despite the increase in end-of-life vehicle recovery in recent years,
Ireland hasn't managed to reach the recovery and recycling goals for this waste stream.
UK
UK recycling rate for household waste (WfH; including IBA metal) was 45.0 per cent in 2018, down from
45.5 per cent in 2017. There is an EU goal for the UK to recycle at least 50% of household waste by
2020.The recycling rate for WfH decreased in all United Kingdom countries except for Northern Europe.
England's recycling rate was 44.7 per cent compared to 47.7 per cent in Northern Ireland, 42.8% in
Scotland and 54.1% in Wales. UK Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) sent to landfill has been
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reduced. About 7.4 million tons in 2017 (21% of baseline value in 1995) and about 7.2 million tons in
2018 (20 percent of the baseline 1995 value) were decreased. The United Kingdom is therefore still on
track to meet the EU goal of limiting BMW to 35% of landfill sites. The baseline for this target which was
set back in 1995 is 2020.
China
China updated the plastics industry regulation on January 2020, 12 years after restrictions on plastic
bags were first introduced. Released by the National Development and Reform Commission of China
and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the document encourages alternative goods, standardizes
recycling and the use of plastic waste.
Germany
Based on a research conducted by the German Economic Institute (IW) (IW) (IW) Germant is by far the
most effective of all Europeans concerning recycling. Peter Kurth, of the Federal Association of the
German Waste Management Industry (BDE), concurs: "Those who produce plastic goods are
responsible for ensuing they can be recycled." But that's just the first step, he stresses, adding that "We
do not think symbolically banning single-use plastic items will be very helpful."
Switzerland
Switzerland has a long history of waste disposal from landfill sites and has a long tradition of successful
disposal. As a country it has an efficient recycling system. Most of the MSW (munipical solid
waste)produced in the country is either recycled or incinerated. According to the EU Landfill Directive, it
is a general obligation that all Member States must reduce the volume of urban biodegradable waste
landfilled (BMW) by 2006, 2009 and 2016.However these goals do not refer to Switzerland. However, for
the SOER2010 report of the EEA, the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU) confirmed zero
BMW landfill in 2006
France
In France, MSW is characterized by the following forms of waste: street sweeping, sewage sludge and
garden. On 10 February 2020, the law No 2020-105 was signed by the French President Emmanuel
Macron signed in fight against waste and the circular economy (Law No. 2020-105 Regarding a Circular
Economy and the Fight against Waste). The specific law is aiming in transforming the French model of
society from a linear economy to a circular economy, where waste is reduced and resources are reused
as much as possible. This new economic system will include a low use of non-renewable resources, the
re-use of waste as a resource, goods with a longer lifetime, the recycling of 100% of plastics, and less
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wastefulness.In 2019, a law was passed by the The French Parliament's lower chamber with main
purpose to ban all single-use plastic products and packaging after 2040, as well as a raft of measures to
ramp up reuse and recycling. Even though it is a first step Environmentalists believe the 2040 deadline is
too long.
UN Environment Programme/ International Waste Management Organization
The United Nations Environment Program and the International Waste Management Organization have
a joint initiative known as The Global Waste Management. Practically it is a global scientific evaluation of
the state of waste management and a call for action by the international community. The document has
a historic approach to waste management and tries to identify waste and resource management as a key
contributor to achieve sustainable development and climate change mitigation.
UN Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The UNFCCC Secretariat (UN Climate Change) is the UN body responsible for fostering a global
response to the climate change problem. UNFCCC stands for the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change. The Convention has almost universal membership (197 Parties) and is the parent of
the 2015 Paris Agreement. The main goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit the global average
temperature increase of this century as near as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial
levels.
.
As far as waste management is concert the organization tries to reinforce education and awareness-
raising to improve climate resilience and mitigation in the host communities of the Kibera slum in Nairobi,
Kenya. Via waste management and river restoration, the operation aims to minimize greenhouse gas
emissions and boost carbon sinks, thereby contributing to both mitigation and community adaptation.
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
It is an international financial organization and a United Nations specialized agency based in Rome, the
Food and Agriculture Capital of the United Nations. It is remarkable the fact that since 1978 they have
given approximately 22.4 billion dollars in grants and low-interest loans to projects with an estimated 512
million people.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) refers to rural people in a try to encourage
them to increase food security, ameliorate their families’ nutrition while increasing their incomes. They
support the families in order for them to achieve resilience, grow their businesses and take care of their
own growth.
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Timeline of Events
Date Description of event
Relevant UN Treaties and Events
Declaration of Prevention, reduction and reuse of food waste Nairobi, 23–27 May
2016UNEP/EA.2/Res.9
The Second United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEA-
2) met in Nairobi, Kenya, from 23-27 May 2016. More than 2,500 delegates from 174 nations, attended
the meeting with other registered participants, including 230 business leaders and 400 approved major
groups and stakeholders. During the meeting, the delegates negotiated resolutions in the Committee of
the Whole (COW) which were adopted by UNEA-2 at its closing plenary session.
Declaration on Marine plastic litter and microplastics Nairobi, 23–27 May 2016
UNEP/EA.2/Res.11 Distr.: General
Resolution signed in Nairobi in 2016 based on the issue of limiting the marine plastic liter and micro
plastics.
https://undocs.org/UNEP/EA.2/Res.11
Delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Nairobi, 23–27 May 2016
UNEP/EA.2/Res.5
Resolution signed in Nairobi in 2016 delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
https://undocs.org/UNEP/EA.2/Res.5
DIRECTIVE 2008/98/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 19
November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives
Resolution adopted in November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32008L0098&from=EN
Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste
It is document, containing a series of articles signed in 1999 addressing the issue of landfill waste.
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The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other
Matter 1972 (London Convention) and its 1996 Protocol (the London Protocol)
The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Waste and Other Matters, 1972
(London Convention) and the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by
Dumping of Waste and Other Matters are two important global instrument directly applicable to marine
plastic litter and microplastics. The purpose of the London Convention and Protocol is to facilitate the
efficient management of all sources of marine pollution. Parties shall take appropriate steps to avoid
contamination of the marine environment caused by dumping at sea.
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and
Their Disposal (Basel Convention)
According to the UNEP assessment, the Basel Convention 31 sets out the most systematic approach to
the issue of marine plastic litter and microplastics worldwide, since the provisions of the Convention on
waste minimisation, the environmentally sustainable management of waste produced and the
transboundary movement of such waste are related to plastic waste. The Convention has also
established a range of technical guidance documents on the identification and environmentally
sustainable management of plastic waste and its disposal, which provide detailed guidance on the
matter.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Resolution 70/133 and the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development was adopted in 2015 by the
United Nations General Assembly with 17 sustainable development goals (SDG), including SDG 14 to
conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. Each SDG includes targets and
under the 10 targets for the implementation of SDG 14 (“Life below water”), target 14.1 specifically aims
to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities,
including marine litter and nutrient pollution.
Previous Attempts to solve the Issue
IMO Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships
The Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO recently adopted (on 26 October
2018) an Action Plan to Resolve Marine Plastic Litter from Ships (Resolution MEPC.310(73)) to help find
a global solution to prevent marine plastic litter from entering the oceans through ship-based activities.
IMO Member States agreed actions to be completed by 2025, which relate to all ships, including fishing
vessels since It recognizes the importance of addressing the environmental and health problems posed
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by marine plastic litter. The action plan also seeks to address possible gaps in MARPOL such as waste
from dredging, which must be fully assessed to ensure it does not contain harmful materials like plastics.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Convention on Biological Diversity18 (CBD) is a global convention unanimously endorsed by 196
Parties 19. The Convention does not explicitly discuss degradation of the aquatic environment, as it is
primarily concerned with the protection of biological diversity. However on 10 December 2016, the CBD
adopted Resolution CBD/COP/DEC/XIII/1020 addressing the effect of aquatic debris and anthropogenic
underwater noise on marine and coastal biodiversity.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
The European Union's approach to waste management is based on the 'waste hierarchy,' which sets out
the following priority order for waste policy and waste management at operational level: prevention,
(preparation for) reuse, recycling, recovery and as the least preferred choice, disposal (which includes
land filling and incineration without energy recovery).
In line with the 7th Environment Action Programme sets the following priority objectives for waste policy
in the EU:
Eliminate the waste generated;
Optimize recycling and re-use;
Restrict incineration to non-recyclable materials;
To phase out landfills for non-recyclable and non-recoverable waste;
Ensure consistent adoption of the waste policy goals in all Member States.
Summary of Measures, Policies and Initiatives Implemented by APEC Economies
2021 Proposed Projects
APEC Seminar on the Promotion of Circular Economy and Sustainable Material Management to effectively fix marine plastic litter in the Asia-Pacific region (Viet Nam)
Building resources for solid waste management (United States)
Exchange of best practices and scientific and technical approaches for the detection, characterization, risk evaluation and remediation of micro-and nanoplastics (United States)
2020 Projects
Encouraging creative models to minimize and control land-based debris in the oceans for sustainable development (Viet Nam)
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Roadmap of Circular Economy (Malaysia)
APEC Expanded Producer Liability for Circular Economy Plastic Conference (Malaysia)
Renewable Energy Financing (Malaysia)
Multi-Year Dialog on Creative Waste Management (Malaysia)
2019 Project
Management of Waste, Recovery of Marine Litter, Innovation, and Empowerment (MaRINE) (Japan) Sustainable Materials Policy Program (United States)
Possible Solutions
Integrated approach to developing national strategies
At national level, an integrated package of options is required to achieve high diversion rates. Countries
with high levels of diversion of BMW from landfill employ a variation of separate collection, thermal
treatment, centralized composting and material recycling. Thermal treatment, in particular incineration, is
commonly used for the treatment of bagged waste when composting, reusing and recycling waste
obtained separately, such as paper and cardboard, textiles, wood, garden waste and to a lesser degree,
food waste. Technologies such as anaerobic digestion, gasification and pyrolysis are used to a lesser
degree, but their use may become more common as technologies grow.
Collection systems
Source categorization and separate collection should also be considered for inclusion in the national
strategies for achieving the goals set out in the Directive on landfills. This recommendation is followed by
a note of caution. Every country will need to work out a reasonable and workable source separation and
separate collection goal so that it is fairly sure that the quality of the recovered materials is sufficiently
high and that there are viable markets and outlets.
Availability of markets and other outlets for compost and other end products
When countries formulate their national policies, it is important to address the problem of markets and
other sources. Although the infrastructure for separate storage and disposal of materials such as paper
waste, garden waste and food waste can be placed in place, there is no guarantee that secure and
stable markets will be available for the materials generated. National authorities should be conscious of
the significance of creating and sustaining adequate markets and outlets while designing national
policies and proposals for the diversion of BMW from landfill sites.
More solutions
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• Provide funding to the countries most in need, especially the fastest-growing countries, to build state-
of-the-art waste management systems.
• Assisting major waste-producing countries to reduce plastics and marine litter use through robust waste
reduction and recycling programmes.
• Reducing food waste by public education, organic management and organized food waste
management programmes.
Besides structural policies and infrastructure investments, new technologies can also be of great use all
along the value chain of waste management: reducing waste generation, improving recycling, electrifying
and increasing waste collection, etc.
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Appendix or Appendices
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on waste management
The effects of COVID-19 are changing our way of life from day to day. Although national and local
interventions often focus on protecting lives and the economy, hazardous waste management is
also needed to reduce long-term risks to human and environmental health. Not treating healthcare waste
properly can have serious effects on public health and the environment. Municipal solid waste (MSW)
and electronic waste (e-waste), construction and demolition (C and D) waste, and other industrial
waste, along with a growing number of other waste streams, are a critical part of the
environment and health. With the newly discovered COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2019,
the importance of properly managing healthcare waste is gaining more attention.
Risks and challenges associated with waste management in COVID-19 pandemic
The Hague International Model United Nations 2020| 26th January 2020 – 31
st January 2020
Research Report | Page 15 of 15
Waste generated through household/ domestic waste management (MSW)
Increased amounts of mixed waste, including hazardous wastes, due to low proper segregation
Increased quantity of plastic waste (due to lockdowns, suspension of reuseable items in stores,
etc.)
Lack of inventories/estimates of the amount of household hazardous waste produced
Increased littering, illegal dumping and open burning;
Suspension of recycling activities » Combination of infectious waste such as gloves, masks,
tissues and gauze with other waste (exposure to transmission)
Discontinued delivery of formal/informal waste management services
Increased negative impacts, especially on the informal sector (OSH, health risk, business
opprotunity loss, etc.)
Incorrect MSWM service offered during normal periods (vulnerability in collection services and
landfill operation as well as OSH)
Lack of information on waste management
Reuse of PPE Disposed
Shortage of regular supplies of PPEs to waste collectors
Rise in the amount of infectious waste generation
Disruption in healthcare waste management programs
Improper disposal of health waste management in place
Suspension of recycling operations » Inadequate waste management and disposal capability
Waste generated through healthcare facilities
Increased amount of infectious waste generation
service interruptions of healthcare waste management services
Improper healthcare waste management treatment in place
Suspension of recycling activities
Insufficient capacity for waste treatment and disposal
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