DENR reveals tons of COVID waste are collected every day
Due to the pandemic, medical wastes, summing up to one thousand metric tons or the equivalent of 166 trucks, are collected each day, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Thursday.
DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones said that COVID-related medical wastes, such as facemasks and face shields, have increased because of the government’s mandates.
He said that the amount of healthcare waste shocked them. “Sa ngayon, ang taya ng ating Environmental Management Bureau, mayroon tayong 1,000 metriko toneladang healthcare waste kada araw ang kinokolekta natin,” he stressed.
Implementation of proper waste management
Authorities have been coordinating with the Local Government Units, specifically on the barangay level, to properly dispose of medical wastes. He also mentioned that LGUs need to strictly implement the Solid Waste Management Act.
“Ang barangay ‘yung kumukolekta at nilalagay muna ‘yan sa temporary transfer station at du’n kinukuha ng ating munisipyo ‘yung mga healthcare waste na ito para dalhin sa treatment facility… bago siya [dalhin] sa final disposal site natin,” Leones explained.
Meanwhile, Ramon San Pascual of Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia urged the public to properly dispose of their waste. He specifically mentioned the safety and wellbeing of the garbage collectors.
San Pascual also said that facemasks should not be mixed with the usual household garbage. Furthermore, he urged everyone to avoid using disposable masks at home.
“Hindi po ‘yun necessary kasi nagiging basura nga po ‘yun. Bukod pa sa delikado sa posibleng mangyari sa mga waste worker, delikado rin sa ating kalikasan kasi plastik ‘yan,” said San Pascual.
San Pascual reminded hospitals and clinics to be mindful of the proper waste management. This is after seven kids from Catanduanes tested positive for COVID due to exposure to medical waste. He said,
“Authorities [should] manage hazardous and infectious waste coming off from the pandemic.”
WHO report
According to a report by the World Health Organization, 87,000 tons of personal protective equipment (PPE) ended up as waste. More than 140 million test kits generated 2,600 tons of plastic and chemical waste. And there is an additional 144,000 tons of garbage from the administration of the vaccine doses worldwide.
The United Nations health body urged governments to implement proper waste disposal and management in their countries.
