Global COVID-19 Related Waste Challenges, Response Strategies, and Potential Opportunities
Leigh Smith-Lambert, Izaria Ferguson, Lynal Albert
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
As the world navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge in waste generation, the varied composition of waste, and its subsequent management has presented several challenges to many communities. Waste management techniques and cultivating an awareness of the environmental and health impacts of mismanaged wastes have varied with location, economics, and priorities of the region. Risk mitigation efforts including the wearing of masks, lockdowns, and stay at home orders intended to contain the spread of the virus have resulted in several unintended environmental implications. With the rise in consumer plastic consumption, single use PPE, take away food orders, and online shopping, many households across the globe have reported an increase in waste. While developed countries have been able to approach the surge by utilizing and expanding current municipal waste management programs, countries lacking this existing infrastructure battle an increased risk of continued infection and magnified environmental issues through open landfills, groundwater contamination, and limited community awareness. Adopting appropriate methods of risk communication and encouraging participation from the public to manage waste issues is critical to protecting the environment by limiting contamination, improving community involvement in reducing landfill waste, and encouraging recycling. It is imperative to develop waste management solutions while continuing the promotion of sustainable habits, combating the current pandemic situation, and preparing for future episodic events. Our study focuses on analyzing episodic waste generation during the pandemic, management strategies adopted globally, and identifying areas of possible improvement and alternate strategies that can be implemented. © ASCE.
全球与COVID-19相关的废物挑战、应对战略和潜在机遇
在全球应对2019冠状病毒病大流行之际,废物产生的激增、废物成分的多样化及其后续管理给许多社区带来了若干挑战。废物管理技术和培养对管理不当废物的环境和健康影响的认识因区域的地点、经济和优先事项而异。缓解风险的努力,包括戴口罩、封锁和旨在控制病毒传播的居家令,已经产生了一些意想不到的环境影响。随着塑料消费、一次性个人防护用品、外卖订单和网上购物的增加,全球许多家庭都报告说,垃圾有所增加。虽然发达国家已经能够通过利用和扩大现有的城市废物管理计划来应对激增,但缺乏这种现有基础设施的国家却面临着持续感染的风险增加,并因开放式垃圾填埋场、地下水污染和社区意识有限而加剧了环境问题。采取适当的风险沟通方法和鼓励公众参与管理废物问题,对保护环境、限制污染、提高社区参与减少堆填区废物和鼓励循环再造至关重要。必须制定废物管理解决办法,同时继续促进可持续的习惯,防治目前的大流行病,并为未来的偶发事件做好准备。我们的研究重点是分析大流行期间偶发废物的产生、全球采用的管理战略,并确定可能改进的领域和可实施的替代战略。©第3期。
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