The World Health Organisation (WHO) has found that poorly managed solid waste is driving a ‘public health crisis’.
A new WHO report, Throwing away our health: the impacts of solid waste on human health – evidence, knowledge gaps and health sector responses, warns that poorly managed solid waste is driving a public health crisis and calls for urgent action to protect people and the environment.
The report summarises evidence on how solid waste, especially municipal solid waste, affects health through polluted air, water, soil and food.
When waste is not collected, or is dumped, burned, or poorly treated, it can release hazardous chemicals, contaminate drinking-water sources, and create breeding grounds for insects and rodents.
The report found that communities underserved by waste management services, including those living near dumpsites and poorly managed landfills and incinerators, as well as children, pregnant women, and waste workers – particularly those working informally – face the greatest risks.
Dr Ruediger Krech, Director a.i., Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health & Migration at the World Health Organisation, commented: “Solid waste reflects how our societies produce and consume, and how we treat people and the environment in the process.”
“If we continue to treat waste as an afterthought, we will lock in avoidable disease, climate pollution and deep social inequities. This report is a clear call to put health and equity at the centre of how we design, manage and ultimately reduce waste.”
The new report identifies a central role for the health sector in addressing solid waste as a public health threat. It says that the sector can prevent and minimise health-care waste at source, improve segregation and safe treatment, invest in cleaner climate-resilient technologies, and advocate for health-protective policies and standards.
The report also encourages more surveillance, research and biomonitoring to strengthen the evidence base, and promotes social protection and inclusion of informal waste workers.
Amongst the key actions recommended for governments and partners include reducing waste generation at source; expanding affordable and reliable waste collection services, especially in underserved communities; improving control at recovery and disposal facilities; and eliminating open dumping and burning, including hazardous waste.
Bruce Gordon, Head, Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health Unit, WHO, said: “This report gives countries and health authorities a very practical agenda.”
“These concrete steps save lives today and will make cities cleaner and healthier in the future.”