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Medical Waste Alert: How to Manage COVID-19 Healthcare Waste

COVID-19 has swept through the world in a very short period, causing widespread concern for many countries. The surprise global effect of COVID-19 has caused a shortage in certain supplies, such as gloves, gowns, and masks. Fortunately, COVID-19 infection has largely been contained and impacts have been minimal on Pacific Island communities. Large volumes of solid waste, such as personal protective equipment, are being generated in response to the pandemic. In contrast to previous epidemics (e.g. the Ebola crisis of 2014-2016), patients do not produce large quantities of biohazard or pathological waste. If there is a silver lining to be observed in this pandemic, this is certainly it. This medical waste alert provides useful information on how to Manage COVID-19 Healthcare Waste.

National disaster Waste Management Plans: Benefits of having disaster waste management plans and planning to Pacific islands

The intensity and frequency of natural disasters such as tropical cyclones are evidently increasing in the Pacific. When these natural disasters occur large amounts of waste are generated from damage to both the natural and man-made environment. Inefficient or ineffective management of clean-up efforts following a disaster often results in the slow and costly recovery of a community, potentially risking public and environmental health.

Managing Disaster Waste: A Guide for Communities

Natural disasters, such as tropical cyclones, hurricanes, and floods, can generate large quantities of waste, including building debris, fallen trees, and hazardous waste. Disaster waste is a threat to community health, safety, and the environment. However, it is often managed in an ad hoc manner and can be a major obstacle to the much-needed emergency relief operations and cause delay to humanitarian efforts by blocking access to affected communities.

Stocktake Report: Available Tertiary & Vocational Waste Management Courses in the Pacific Region

This report provides details of the waste management courses offered in the PacWastePlus participating countries. The Institute of Applied Sciences of The University of the South Pacific was engaged to carry out a stocktake assessment of tertiary and vocational waste management education and training to identify any existing or potential accredited waste management training, competency-based assessments, or hands-on training opportunities currently available to participating countries.

Outcome Report: Tropical Cyclone Harold Recovery Works in Vanuatu

Following a request from the Vanuatu Government to provide support for waste clean-ups following Tropical Cyclone Harold which made landfall in Vanuatu in April 2020, the PacWastePlus Programme, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC), and other donor-funded waste projects, implemented support activities to nine communities on the islands of Santo, Pentecost, Aore and Malo. The project was deployed in September 2020 following extensive consultation to confirm the specific support requirements. The project was managed by staff from PacWastePlus (Regional Officer based in Vanuatu), an extension officer for DEPC, and support from the Luganville Municipal Council (LMC).

Global and Regional framework – Chemicals and waste multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)

Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) are legally binding agreements between States or International Organisations that have responsibilities for managing elements of the natural environment. The Chemicals and Waste focused MEAs address procedures and actions related to the transboundary movements of materials such as hazardous waste, radioactive waste, and persistent organic pollutants. MEAs provide strong foundations to support and guide Pacific islands in the management of impacts from waste, controlling the transboundary movement of waste, and supports countries to implement the SDGs and secure a healthier environment for their people.

Moana Taka Partnership-A Guide for Pacific Island Countries & Territories

Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) have amassed a huge amount of waste, much of it hazardous, including large number of plastics. These are wastes are washed into the surrounding seas when tropical cyclones and floods occur. Marine litter continually enters the region on ocean currents from stormwater, fishing vessels, cruise ships and container ships. The Moana Taka Partnership helps alleviate the burden of waste on islands in the Pacific by enabling Swire Shipping vessels to utilise empty shipping containers to transport non-commercial recyclable waste from islands. This waste is transported to countries with appropriate waste disposal facilities, ensuring that everything from oil to plastics to aerosols are properly recycled.

Waste Technology Management Options: Healthcare Waste

The Waste Technology Management Options: Healthcare waste publication provides details on some of the most appropriate waste management technologies identified for the PacWastePlus programme priority waste of Healthcare Waste with consideration to the inherent constraints of the Pacific island region.

Waste Technology Management Options: Plastic Material

The Waste Technology Management Options: Plastic Material publication provides details on some of the appropriate plastic waste management techniques identified during a research project - with consideration to the inherent constraints of the Pacific island region.

Waste Technology Management Options: Organic Material

The Waste Technology Management Options: Organic Material publication provides details on some of the most appropriate waste management technologies identified for Organic Materials - with consideration to the inherent constraints of the Pacific island region.

Assessment of Small-Scale Technology Suitable for Waste Management in the Pacific and Timor-Leste

This report summarises the most appropriate waste management technologies with consideration to the inherent constraints of the Pacific island region. The waste streams investigated are Hazardous Waste: Health care waste, E-waste, Asbestos, Solid waste: Recyclables, Organic waste, Disaster waste, Bulky waste, Wastewater: Water impacted by Solid Waste. It outlines the context, the methodology adopted, presents the key findings and recommendations. This research focused on investigating the range of technology options and providers for the priority waste streams. The technologies identified were deemed capable of assisting with the management of one or more of the priority waste streams.