Effect of Covid-19 on Healthcare Waste and Waste-Related the Pandemic: A case study in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand
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Abstract
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health measures have led to a significant increase in healthcare waste (HW) and household hazardous waste (HHW) globally. HW, including masks, gloves, and other infectious materials from disease treatment, and HHW, such as paint, batteries, personal cleansers, cleaning products, and hand sanitizer containers, have posed new challenges in waste management. This study, conducted in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand, fills a critical gap in understanding the extent and nature of this waste surge. From December 2020 to June 2021, we quantitatively analyzed the HW and HHW, finding that HW related covid-19 accounted for 0.03% (43.26 kg/day) and HHW related covid-19 for 3.02% (4.37 tons/day) of the total waste stream. Our findings reveal the critical necessity for comprehensive waste management interventions, particularly the proper segregation of HW and HHW from household waste, to mitigate contamination and infection risks. The study emphasizes the need for enhanced governmental action in waste management infrastructure, including public awareness campaigns on waste separation and the implementation of specialized bins for HW and HHW in residential and community areas. Additionally, it highlights the importance of developing a robust policy framework in Thailand to address the challenges of pandemic-related waste surge. The research points to future avenues exploring the environmental and public health ramifications of COVID-19 waste, especially in understanding how various communities adapt their waste management practices during public health crises. Insights from such studies could be instrumental in refining waste management practices, making them suitable for different socio-economic contexts and improving overall public health outcomes.
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