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. 2022 Dec:87:104219.
doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2022.104219. Epub 2022 Sep 28.

Evolution of COVID-19 municipal solid waste disposal behaviors using epidemiology-based periods defined by World Health Organization guidelines

Tanvir S Mahmud  1 , Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng  1 , Nima Karimi  1 , Kenneth K Adusei  1 , Stefania Pizzirani  2
Affiliations

Evolution of COVID-19 municipal solid waste disposal behaviors using epidemiology-based periods defined by World Health Organization guidelines

Tanvir S Mahmud et al. Sustain Cities Soc. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

This study aims to identify the effects of continued COVID-19 transmission on waste management trends in a Canadian capital city, using pandemic periods defined from epidemiology and the WHO guidelines. Trends are detected using both regression and Mann-Kendall tests. The proposed analytical method is jurisdictionally comparable and does not rely on administrative measures. A reduction of 190.30 tonnes/week in average residential waste collection is observed in the Group II period. COVID-19 virulence negatively correlated with residential waste generation. Data variability in average collection rates during the Group II period increased (SD=228.73 tonnes/week). A slightly lower COVID-19 induced Waste Disposal Variability (CWDW) of 0.63 was observed in the Group II period. Increasing residential waste collection trends during Group II are observed from both regression (b = +1.6) and the MK test (z = +5.0). Both trend analyses reveal a decreasing CWDV trend during the Group I period, indicating higher diversion activities. Decreasing CWDV trends are also observed during the Group II period, probably due to the implementation of new waste programs. The use of pandemic periods derived from epidemiology helps us to better understand the effect of COVID-19 on waste generation and disposal behaviors, allowing us to better compare results in regions with different socio-economic affluences.

Keywords: COVID-19 virulence; Epidemiology; Recycling behaviors; Sustainable solid waste management; Waste disposal; World health organization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Methodological flowchart.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Temporal variations of hospitalized cases in the Regina zone.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Distribution of epidemiological data during (a) Group I and (b) Group II of the transmission time period.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Temporal variations of residential waste collection rate during a) Group I & b) Group II periods.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Temporal variations of CWDV during a) Group I and b) Group II periods.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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