A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the urgent need for action to address the public health crisis stemming from poorly managed solid waste. Titled Throwing Away Our Health: The Impacts of Solid Waste on Human Health, the report details how the increasing volume of municipal solid waste is adversely affecting communities worldwide.
According to WHO, many countries lack the necessary systems and resources to safely manage this growing waste. The report emphasizes that solid waste management reflects societal values regarding consumption and environmental stewardship. Dr. Ruediger Krech, Acting Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health & Migration, stated, “If we continue to treat waste as an afterthought, we will lock in avoidable disease, climate pollution and deep social inequities.”
The report illustrates how improper waste management leads to health hazards through air, water, soil, and food pollution. When waste remains uncollected or is improperly disposed of—such as through dumping, burning, or inadequate treatment—it can release hazardous chemicals and contaminate vital water sources. Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and informal waste workers, bear the brunt of these risks, especially in communities lacking effective waste management services.
Health Sector’s Role in Waste Management
For the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) community, the report underscores the relationship between safe waste management and climate-resilient systems. Despite the pressing issues, a significant amount of municipal solid waste remains uncollected or disposed of in uncontrolled environments, including open dumps and incineration sites. These practices not only harm ecosystems but also contribute to climate change and hinder efforts to create healthy urban spaces.
The WHO report suggests that when waste is managed effectively, it can be transformed into a resource, generating energy and creating green jobs. It advocates for a coordinated, multisectoral response grounded in a waste hierarchy that prioritizes waste prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling, followed by safe recovery and disposal. Key actions include reducing waste generation at the source, improving reliable waste collection services in underserved areas, and eliminating hazardous waste disposal practices.
The health sector is identified as having a crucial role in mitigating the public health threat posed by solid waste. Health authorities can minimize healthcare waste at the source, enhance segregation and treatment processes, and invest in cleaner, climate-resilient technologies. Additionally, the report calls for increased surveillance, research, and biomonitoring to reinforce the evidence base and promote the social protection of informal waste workers.
Practical Steps for Health Authorities
Mr. Bruce Gordon, Head of the Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Health Unit at WHO, remarked, “This report gives countries and health authorities a very practical agenda.” He encouraged health ministries to ensure the safe management of healthcare waste, develop robust occupational health programs for waste workers, and work alongside municipalities to mitigate health risks associated with solid waste. Closing open dumps and burning sites while progressively improving waste management services will significantly enhance community health.
The WHO report is a call to action for governments, health authorities, and communities to prioritize health and equity in waste management practices. By taking concrete steps now, nations can save lives today while paving the way for cleaner, healthier cities in the future.
