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Impacts and Regulations of Healthcare Solid Waste Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

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  • Aianna Rios Magalhães Véras e Silva

    (Postgraduate Program in Development and Environment, Federal University of Piaui, Teresina 64049-550, Brazil)

  • Bruna de Freitas Iwata

    (Diaspa—Information, Environment, Health and Food Production, Federal Institute of Piauí, Teresina 64019-368, Brazil)

  • Maria do Socorro Ferreira dos Santos

    (Production Engineering Course, Federal University of Piaui, Teresina 64049-550, Brazil)

  • José Machado Moita Neto

    (Economic Sciences, Federal University of Delta do Parnaíba, Parnaíba 64202-020, Brazil)

Abstract

In a pandemic context, it is essential to intensify precautions related to healthcare solid waste, known as HCSW, ensuring the continuous search for safer management and handling protocols of these materials. In this sense, the aim of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature about the management of healthcare waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current investigation was underpinned by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) framework, selected to ensure the comprehensive and transparent presentation of the systematic review. In pursuit of this objective, three distinct keyword combinations were employed, namely, “solid waste management”, “medical waste”, and “COVID-19 pandemic”. Consequently, a total of 76 documents were incorporated into the analysis. The results of this analysis indicate that the amount and treatment of hospital solid waste were significantly affected by the pandemic, bringing impacts on social, economic, and environmental aspects. Recent studies have focused on mitigating these impacts by pursuing “green” solutions, such as implementing sustainable strategies, preserving biodiversity, adopting an eco-conscious lifestyle, improving healthcare infrastructure, raising public awareness, and changing HCSW management policies. In addition, alternative technologies have been explored for the adequate treatment of these wastes, as well as the replacement of harmful materials by safer substances. However, more scientific research on this topic is still needed, especially in the Brazilian context, in order to contribute to the development of strategies that minimize the impacts of the pandemic on both society and the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14462-:d:1253193
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ziyuan Liu & Tianle Liu & Xingdong Liu & Aijing Wei & Xiaoxue Wang & Ying Yin & You Li, 2021. "Research on Optimization of Healthcare Waste Management System Based on Green Governance Principle in the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-18, May.
    2. 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.
    3. Cheol-Woo Yoon & Min-Jung Kim & Yoon-Su Park & Tae-Wan Jeon & Min-Yong Lee, 2022. "A Review of Medical Waste Management Systems in the Republic of Korea for Hospital and Medical Waste Generated from the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-25, March.
    4. Costel Bucătaru & Dan Săvescu & Angela Repanovici & Larisa Blaga & Ecaterina Coman & Maria-Elena Cocuz, 2021. "The Implications and Effects of Medical Waste on Development of Sustainable Society—A Brief Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-13, March.
    5. Florin-Constantin Mihai, 2020. "Assessment of COVID-19 Waste Flows During the Emergency State in Romania and Related Public Health and Environmental Concerns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-18, July.
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