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A New Challenge for the Management and Disposal of Personal Protective Equipment Waste during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Zheng Wang

    (Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada)

  • Christophe Guy

    (Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada)

  • Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng

    (Environmental Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada)

  • Chunjiang An

    (Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada)

Abstract

To prevent the transmission of the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the public, the demand and consumption of personal protective equipment (PPE) increased drastically. Such wide use of PPE has brough a new challenge to waste management and disposal. It is difficult to sort PPE waste before further treatment, and such waste will often end up being processed by some traditional disposal methods. During the pandemic, incineration and landfill facilities are currently under significant pressure. In addition, a certain amount of PPE waste is discarded into the environment rather than going to landfills and incinerators. It not only directly affects the ecosystem, but also indirectly threatens human health through various routes of exposure. PPE waste is also the source and carrier of pathogens and chemical contaminants, causing a secondary pollution. Therefore, it is necessary to establish appropriate strategies to deal with the PPE problems related to energy, environment and health, requiring the collaborative efforts of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and governments.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng Wang & Christophe Guy & Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng & Chunjiang An, 2021. "A New Challenge for the Management and Disposal of Personal Protective Equipment Waste during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-4, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7034-:d:580255
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stephen Jones, 2020. "Waste Management in Australia Is an Environmental Crisis: What Needs to Change so Adaptive Governance Can Help?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-17, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aianna Rios Magalhães Véras e Silva & Bruna de Freitas Iwata & Maria do Socorro Ferreira dos Santos & José Machado Moita Neto, 2023. "Impacts and Regulations of Healthcare Solid Waste Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Sanaalsadat Eslami & Golam Kabir & Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng, 2023. "Waste Generation Modeling Using System Dynamics with Seasonal and Educational Considerations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Huyen Trang Do Thi & Peter Mizsey & Andras Jozsef Toth, 2021. "Applicability of Membranes in Protective Face Masks and Comparison of Reusable and Disposable Face Masks with Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-16, November.

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