COVID-19 impacts on household solid waste generation in six Latin American countries: a participatory approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the Americas, the continent with the highest number of COVID-related deaths according to WHO statistics. In Latin America, strict confinement conditions at the beginning of the pandemic put recycling activity to a halt and augmented the consumption of plastic as a barrier to stop the spread of the virus. The lack of data to understand waste management dynamics complicates waste management strategy adjustments aimed at coping with COVID-19. As a novel contribution to the waste management data gap for Latin America, this study uses a virtual and participatory methodology that collects and generates information on household solid waste generation and composition. Data was collected between June and November 2021 in six countries in Latin America, with a total of 503 participants. Participants indicated that the pandemic motivated them to initiate or increase waste reduction (41%), waste separation (40%), and waste recovery (33%) activities. Forty-three percent of participants perceived an increase in total volume of their waste; however, the quantitative data showed a decrease in household waste generation in Peru (-31%), Honduras (-25%), and Venezuela (-82%). No changes in waste composition were observed. Despite the limited sample size, this data provides a much-needed approximation of household waste generation and composition in the pandemic situation during 2021.

Virtual Methodology for Household Waste Characterization During The Pandemic in An Urban District of Peru: Citizen Science for Waste Management.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused the alteration of many aspects of the solid waste management chain, such as variations in the waste composition, generation and disposal. Various studies have examined these changes with analysis of integrated waste management strategies; qualitative studies on perceived variations and statistical evaluations based on waste collected or disposed in landfills. Despite this information there is a need for updated data on waste generation and composition, especially in developing countries. The objective of this article is to develop a data sampling and analytical approach for the collection of data on household waste generation and composition during the pandemic; and, in addition, estimate the daily generation of masks in the study area. The proposed methodology is based on the principles of citizen science and utilizes virtual tools to contact participants, and for the training and collection of information. The study participants collected the information, installed segregation bins in their homes and trained their relatives in waste segregation. The article presents the results of the application of the methodology in an urban district of Lima (Peru) in August 2020. The results suggest an apparent decrease in household waste per capita and a slight increase in plastics composition in the study area. It is estimated that each participant generates 0.124 masks per day and 0.085 pairs of gloves per day. The method developed and results presented can be used as a tool for public awareness and training on household waste characterization and segregation. Furthermore it can provide the necessary evidence to inform policy directives in response household waste issues and Covid-19 restrictions.

Household waste generation, change in waste composition and the exposure to COVID-19 in Guyana and Nigeria.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted humans' activities across the globe. Measures related to social/physical distancing and lockdown have led to a shift and increase in waste generated at households' level. This study examined waste generation, composition and the implications for exposure during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Guyana and Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed-method design to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Owing to adherence to social/physical distancing, an online Google Form survey was administered and phone interviews were conducted with waste managers in Nigeria and Guyana. Findings showed that the volumes of waste had increased and there was a mixture of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with the municipal waste. Also, the majority of the respondents in both countries were concerned that solid waste has the potential to contribute to contamination and spreading of the pandemic. A paired sample T-test analysis indicated an increase in the use of PPE. The values of t = 19.46 and t = 23.73 at p ≥ 0.05 in Nigeria and Guyana, respectively were significant. Waste mostly contaminated, as submitted by the respondents, were cans, bottles, plastics and all biodegradable wastes while the most probable point of contamination as noted by the waste managers occurred at the point of waste collection. Therefore, sorting of waste at household levels and training of personnel involved in waste management should be done with an emphasis on adherence to COVID-19 protocol and enforcement of same to prevent the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 effects on municipality waste collection services for households: statistical modelling of perspectives from Guyana and Nigeria.

The novel COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the functioning of solid waste management globally as households experience an increase in their waste and a change in waste collection services. This study presents a statistical model looking at the impacts of COVID-19 on household waste and waste collection services and the prevalence of self-disposing in response to these impacts. Qualitative household data were collected from Guyana and Nigeria looking at household perspectives on their waste management issues since the emergence of COVID-19. Statistical models were developed using limited-dependent binary logistic regression. The models showed for each country, different factors contributing to the likelihood of self-disposing. For Guyana, the change in waste collection schedule and the household proximity to landfills increases the likelihood of self-disposing while in Nigeria, the increase in household waste increases the likelihood of self-disposing. The results also showed that households who regularly engage in recycling activities are less likely to self-dispose. The study concludes that COVID-19 has disrupted household waste disposal and had contributed to increasing instances in self-dumping. COVID-19 seems to be fostering the informal waste sector which may require a shift in the current operation and policies for the solid waste management sector.

COVID-19 modelling in the Caribbean: Spatial and statistical assessments.

The novel COVID-19 disease has highlighted the vulnerability of small and developing economies in managing what is now a global health crisis. This study presents the preliminary overview of the dynamics of the spread and expansion of COVID-19 as the disease takes its footprint in the Caribbean. The study explored the spatial clusters of the disease and its variations in the Caribbean region. Data was gathered from the World Health Organization reports and collated into a cross sectional data set. Spatial mapping and spatial lag analysis were conducted to identify spread patterns and statistical relationships with several relevant socioeconomic variables. Models showed the prominence of cases and deaths in the Caribbean region have a spatial connection with mainland countries. The models also show the connection between COVID-19 cases and deaths and the availability of medical services within the country. Results also showed similar social distancing policies adopted in the region and the possible connection between prevalence of diabetes and hypertension regionally impacted the number of deaths. It is hoped that the findings presented here will be useful in planning for an epidemiological response for the region based on the differences in the patterns for possible interventions and actions.

Municipal waste Management in the era of COVID-19: Perceptions, Practices, and Potentials for Research in Developing Countries

The novel COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted all facets of society globally. Often overlooked is the potential contamination of the waste disposed by individuals diagnosed with the virus. The proliferation of contaminated waste is expected to increase as cases increase. The pandemic has caused a surge in waste material stemming from the widespread use of disposable personal protective equipment at the household level. In the developing countries where waste management measures are relatively inadequate, the vulnerability of COVID-19 contraction from contaminated waste is high. This study intended to unravel the susceptibility of communities in the developing countries of Guyana and Nigeria to the potential spread of the virus through waste. The study explored the possibility of cross-contamination between residents and landfill scavengers, the community perception on the effectiveness of their solid waste practices, the notable changes in waste collection and waste disposal patterns, and also, the potential knowledge / policy gaps that exist. An online survey was administered within all the districts of the two countries and the qualitative assessment was conducted demonstrating the proportional trends in the responses of the participants. Findings showed that the communities were relatively perceptive about the issue of waste disposal and the potential contamination of COVID-19. The communities readily recognized the inefficiencies of the waste management systems and the need for policy intervention. Tackling the issue of COVID-19 and waste management in the developing countries of Guyana and Nigeria requires policies that are holistic and participatory involving stakeholder at all levels.