Navigating the Waste Challenge from COVID-19: Problems and Solutions
Imagine 24,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools filled with medical waste. Yep, that's how much trash the COVID-19 pandemic churned out worldwide. And that's not even counting the heaps of other waste types that have shot during the pandemic, like household waste, plastic waste, or all the packaging from online shopping.
Waste management is the whole process of collecting, moving, treating, and getting rid of waste in a way that's kind to the environment. It's a big deal for keeping people healthy, safeguarding our environment, and making the most of our resources. But, as you can guess, the pandemic has thrown some pretty massive curveballs at waste management systems everywhere. We're talking more trash, wonky waste services, and bigger risks to health and the planet.
In this blog, we're diving into the major problems and fixes for waste management in the COVID-19 era. We'll cover medical waste, household waste, plastic waste, and even toss in some circular economy ideas. By the time you're done here, you'll have a clearer picture of how we can tackle this waste mess caused by COVID-19 and the actions you can take to pitch in.
Medical Waste:
Medical waste is any junk that comes from medical activities, like diagnosing, treating, or studying diseases. Think infectious waste, toxic waste, radioactive waste, or sharps (those pointy things like needles and syringes). If medical waste isn't handled the right way, it can get pretty gnarly for both human health and the environment.
COVID-19 has pumped up the demand for personal protective gear (PPE), like masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles. And yep, you guessed it, these things count as medical waste and need to be thrown away safely. But here's the kicker: many countries aren't set up with the right facilities or rules to deal with this kind of waste. Plus, some of these PPE items are made from materials that don't break down or get recycled.
So, how can we do this medical waste thing right during the age of COVID-19? Here are some ideas:
Make crystal clear rules for how to sort, gather, move, treat, and dispose of medical waste. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a guide on handling COVID-19-related medical waste safely and smartly. It covers stuff like how to classify waste, shrink it down, stash it, treat it, and get rid of it.
Give medical staff and waste workers the lowdown on how to handle medical waste without any hiccups. An outfit called the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) set up a training program to help waste workers dodge COVID-19 while doing their jobs. They go over things like keeping clean, using PPE, dealing with waste, and handling emergencies. They even have online classes, videos, and manuals for folks in the biz.
Invest in the right gear and technology to treat and toss medical waste the eco-friendly way. Some countries are getting pretty crafty, using stuff like portable burners, autoclaves, or microwaves to treat medical waste right where it's made or in big treatment centers. These tricks can cut down on how much waste there is and how nasty it is, and they can stop germs from spreading.
Push for using reusable or biodegradable PPE whenever we can. A bunch of smarty-pants have cooked up ways to replace throwaway masks or gloves, like masks made out of banana leaves or gloves made from corn starch. This can help us ditch some plastic waste and save cash and resources. And when we're done with them, they'll break down on their own or make some compost.
Household Waste:
Household waste is all the junk that comes from regular home stuff, like cooking, cleaning, and gardening. You've got organic waste (think food scraps and grass cuttings) and inorganic waste (like paper, plastic, metal, and glass). If we mess up handling this stuff, it can mess up our communities, health, and planet.
COVID-19 has shaken up how we do things at home. That means more peeps ordering takeout instead of cooking, which piles on the packaging waste. And more folks are clicking "buy" online instead of browsing in stores, which piles on cardboard boxes and envelopes. Oh, and let's not forget those disposable masks and gloves adding to the plastic waste pile.
So, how can we be champs at handling home waste while COVID-19 is around? Here are some ideas:
Remember the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. That means cutting back on how much waste you make (buy less or stuff with less packaging), using things again (don't just toss stuff), and recycling what can be turned into new stuff. For instance, you can slash food packaging waste by shopping in bulk, using reusable bags and containers, or cooking at home. Old clothes, furniture, and books can find new life by donating, selling, or getting crafty. Paper, plastic, metal, and glass can all get a new lease on life if you toss them in the right bins for recycling.
Try composting. Turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into awesome soil for your garden. It's a win-win: less waste, richer soil. Set up a compost bin or maybe even a worm farm at home. If you're feeling super social, join a composting group in your community. That way, your kitchen leftovers can become treasure for your garden or farm. Composting means less waste, cheaper fertilizer, and better plant growth.
Toss those masks and gloves properly. Make sure they land in the right bins. Don't mix 'em up with other waste or chuck them outside. Follow your local rules for getting rid of them, and use bins that are marked for medical or hazardous waste. This keeps infections from spreading, keeps waste workers and the public safe, and cuts plastic pollution.
Plastic Waste:
Plastic waste is, you guessed it, waste made of plastic or with plastic parts. Plastic is awesome for being strong, lightweight, and cheap, but it's a big pain for the environment and our health. Plastic waste sticks around for ages, leaching bad stuff into soil, water, and air. It can also stack up in landfills, oceans, and other habitats, messing with animals and the balance of nature.
COVID-19 has pumped up the production and use of single-use plastics. PPE, food packaging, and online shopping bags are all part of the problem. And guess what? These often don't get recycled properly. Plus, some places have hit pause on plans to cut back on single-use plastics because of the pandemic.
So, how can we put the brakes on plastic pollution after COVID-19? Here are some ideas:
Back policies and plans that want to stop or slow down single-use plastics. Like, the European Union (EU) decided to ban some single-use plastics by 2021 and to drop plastic use while recycling more. This includes stuff like straws, utensils, plates, and more. The EU also set up things like making companies take more responsibility for their plastic and spreading awareness. Getting behind these moves can shrink your plastic footprint, save resources, and keep our world healthy.
Push for new materials that break down or can be recycled. Some clever folks are replacing plastic with things like edible utensils, seaweed packages, and even mushroom leather. These newbies cut plastic waste and save resources. They also disappear naturally or break down in compost. Supporting these materials means supporting new ideas, businesses, and a better image for the environment.
Educate everyone about the problem of plastic pollution. Loads of groups are sharing tips and stories about ditching plastic, like Plastic Free July, Break Free from Plastic, and Plastic Pollution Coalition. They give us tools to fight plastic in our daily lives and set up events to get folks involved. Being part of this change helps us break our plastic habits and show others how to do the same.
Get your hands dirty by cleaning up plastic waste. Groups like Trash Hero, Ocean Cleanup, and Clean Up the World are rallying volunteers to scoop up plastic in their areas. They give you the gear, know-how, and appreciation for making a difference. Plus, they track their progress and show just how much plastic they've saved. Joining or organizing a clean-up gig can score you some new friends and make our world cleaner and safer.
Circular Economy:
The circular economy is all about kicking waste to the curb and keeping stuff in use for as long as possible. This system has three main ideas: design things to last and not pollute, keep stuff going instead of tossing it, and help nature do its thing. It's a win-win, cutting emissions, costs, and creating jobs and innovation.
COVID-19 shone a spotlight on how the old way of making, using, and tossing things isn't so great. This pandemic knocked around supply chains and how we produce and consume stuff. And it reminded us that we need goods and services that can stick around and be counted on.
So, how can we switch over to a circular economy after COVID-19? Here are some ideas:
Make things that last and don't mess up the planet. Some designers are working magic, creating things like modular furniture, fixable gadgets, or clothes that are remade from old ones. This makes stuff that can stay with us longer and shrinks how much new stuff we need.
Change up how businesses work. Some are trying out circular models, like renting, sharing, or fixing things, instead of the old buy-and-toss routine. These models save money, cut waste, and build strong customer relationships.
Get on board with circular habits. More and more folks are adopting habits that cut down on waste, like buying second-hand or sharing stuff. These actions stretch out the life of things, cut waste, and give communities a boost.
Support policies and laws that promote circular economy. Some governments are making rules that encourage circular ways of doing things, like rewarding companies that go green or putting taxes on wasteful stuff. These rules can break down barriers to change and get more folks in on the circular action.
That's it for this blog post! We've taken a deep dive into how COVID-19 shook up waste management in areas like medical waste, household waste, plastic waste, and the circular economy. And we've served up some ideas for tackling these issues and making waste management better during and after the pandemic.
I hope you've found this blog post helpful and informative. If you've got any questions or thoughts, hit us up at hello@potteriesrecycling.co.uk. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates on waste management. Thanks for reading!
Looking to learn more about waste management and the circular economy? Here are some resources to check out:
The State of Waste Management in the World: A detailed report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that gives the scoop on global waste trends, challenges, and opportunities.
The Circular Economy Handbook: A practical guide put together by Accenture, the World Economic Forum (WEF), and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It shows how businesses can jump on board the circular economy train and score benefits like value and competitiveness.
The Story of Plastic: A documentary by The Story of Stuff Project that digs into the plastic pollution crisis and dishes out real solutions that are doable.
