Mask and ATK Wastes Management in Urban Community By People Participatory Process under COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis of Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Under the situation of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for the past 2 years, people had used the facial masks (masks) for protection of COVID 19 and antigen test kit (ATK) waste and left its mixing with the general wastes without segregation at source. Rationally, It should conduct the study on such masks waste collection management as qualitative research, of which the objectives were 1) to develop the collection system of the used masks and ATK in the community by people participatory process, 2) to raise awareness for the importance of the hygienic collection of the used masks and ATK management and get familiarize with participatory process, 3) to survey the management of used masks and ATK management at the  communities, construction worker camp sites, and industrial dormitories in Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) area. The study area covered 11 communities in Dusit District (Inner Bangkok), 5 construction worker camp sites in Laksi District, and 5 industrial plants in Bangkhen District. The study of 11 communities resulted that the used masks and ATK waste were averagely collected as for 19.25 kg/week or 2.75 kg/day with the trend of weekly increasing. The appropriate model for the communities on used masks and ATK management was the means of participation process. People participatory process was performed through the community leaders and committee for the provision of collection containers, location and number of containers, appointing date/time and frequency. The effective mean of participation process was not only public relation together with requesting for people participation but also monitoring the hygienic segregation and collection of the used masks and ATK wastes. The appropriate model for the construction worker camp sites was creating awareness for an importance on hygienic segregation and collection of the used masks and ATK wastes together with issuing the regulations for safe living in the camp for such hygienic segregation and collection of wastes. The communication to the workers should use simple and understandable language for hygienic mitigation measures. The appropriate model for industrial dormitories was creating the awareness on an importance of the hygienic collection management of the used masks and ATK wastes. The strong protection measures were issuing the regulation with strict enforcement on segregation and collection management of the used masks and ATK wastes under the intensive monitoring by the workers’ chief. The hygienic equipment and accessories had to be provided adequately for both number and locations of wastes drop-off point. Communication to the Thai and foreign workers by simple and understandable language.