Global COVID-19 Related Waste Challenges, Response Strategies, and Potential Opportunities

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.