How to Continue Waste Management Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Webinar: The workers' safety

  • Events 30.04.2020
  • Location Online

Already before the Corona pandemic, two billion people worldwide were lacking access to waste collection and three billion to controlled waste disposal. Ensuring waste collection for everyone is even more pressing during this health challenge. However, many waste management operators or local governments lack experience, technical knowledge and financial resources to ensure the safety of their workers. Furthermore, countless informal workers are meeting their daily ends by picking up and selling recyclables from the waste stream. These informal workers are particularly vulnerable to infect themselves, as well as to suffer from the economic consequences of for example a complete lock down.
Additionally, the amount of healthcare waste being generated is increasing dramatically. Some cities are not equipped with facilities for safe treatment and disposal of medical waste, resulting in open burning or dumping of the same. This way anyone, even children, can easily access it. Cities in low to middle income countries, where waste management service provision is immature and with a high percentage of informality in the waste and recycling economy, are particularly at high risk.

Therefore, UN-Habitat (Waste Wise Cities Campaign) and the Wuppertal Institute are organising this series of webinars, under the Urban Pathways Project, to support local governments and work together in combating COVID-19. On April 30, 2020 at 3:00 pm (CEST), the webinar will address the safety of the workers in the municipal solid waste system during the pandemic. The webinar will take one and a half hour and is conducted in English. It is free of charge and the registration is possible under the link below.


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