Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Solid Waste Generation and Environmental Health Footprint: A Case Study

• Published in: Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Main Author: Ismail S.N.S.; Tamrin N.A.M.; Abidin E.Z.; Rasdi I.; Shamsuddin A.S.; Udin N.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2023
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85180576039&partnerID=40&md5=ff4280b575b62fa685778e8a9817fbbd

Introduction: The profound influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on diverse societal facets including the solid waste generation patterns in Malaysia. Methods: The present research aims to evaluate the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the landscape of solid waste generation within Malaysia. By analyzing data sourced from waste management authorities, this study explores the shifts in waste generation patterns that unfolded during the pandemic phase, investigating their implications for the imperative goal of environmental sustainability. Results: Among the aggregate of solid waste generated, the highest composition was contributed by domestic waste (81%), followed by bulky and garden waste (13%), and public cleansing waste (6%). The total solid waste volume exhibited a diminishing trend preceding the pandemic, spanning from 3.4 million tonnes in 2014 to 3.1 million tonnes in 2019. However, in the pandemic during 2020, the volume underwent a further reduction to 2.9 million tonnes. A comparison of waste generation across quartiles pre-pandemic and during its course, a pronounced decline in Q2 (encompassing April to June), manifesting as a decrease from 783 thousand tonnes to 684 thousand tonnes. Meanwhile, no significant difference was observed across the remaining quartiles. The decrease in waste generation during the pandemic engendered a positive impact on curtailing estimated total direct emissions of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq), and leachate in landfills, yielding a substantial health risk. Conclusion: In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into the pandemic’s impact on solid waste generation in Malaysia, informing vital future waste management strategies and policies. © 2023 UPM Press. All rights reserved.