WHO highlights health risks and opportunities in the global waste crisis – World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO Report Highlights Urgent Need to Address Solid Waste Management for Health and Sustainable Development

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a critical report titled Throwing away our health: the impacts of solid waste on human health – evidence, knowledge gaps and health sector responses. The report warns that poorly managed solid waste is driving a public health crisis globally and calls for urgent, coordinated action to protect human health and the environment in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Global Challenges in Solid Waste Management

Municipal solid waste is increasing at an unprecedented rate worldwide. However, many countries lack the necessary systems and resources to manage this waste safely. This situation undermines several SDGs, including:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
5. SDG 13: Climate Action

Health Impacts of Poor Solid Waste Management

The report details how improperly managed municipal solid waste adversely affects health by contaminating air, water, soil, and food sources. Key health risks include:

• Release of hazardous chemicals
• Contamination of drinking water sources
• Creation of breeding grounds for disease vectors such as insects and rodents

Populations most vulnerable to these risks include underserved communities lacking waste management services, residents near dumpsites and poorly managed landfills or incinerators, children, pregnant women, and informal waste workers.

Integration with Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Systems

The report emphasizes that safe management of municipal and healthcare waste is integral to climate-resilient and safely managed WASH systems, directly supporting SDG 6.

Environmental and Climate Implications

Uncollected waste and uncontrolled disposal methods such as open dumping and burning contribute to ecosystem degradation and climate change, undermining SDG 13 and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Conversely, proper waste management can transform waste into valuable resources by:

• Generating energy
• Creating green jobs

Recommended Multisectoral Actions

The report advocates for a coordinated response based on the waste hierarchy principles:

1. Prevent waste generation at the source
2. Reduce, reuse, and recycle waste
3. Ensure safe recovery and disposal

Key actions 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
• Eliminating open dumping and burning, including hazardous waste

Role of the Health Sector

The health sector is identified as central to addressing solid waste as a public health threat. Responsibilities include:

• Preventing and minimizing healthcare waste at source
• Improving segregation and safe treatment of waste
• Investing in cleaner, climate-resilient technologies
• Advocating for health-protective policies and standards
• Enhancing surveillance, research, and biomonitoring to strengthen evidence
• Promoting social protection and inclusion of informal waste workers

Conclusion and Call to Action

Mr. Bruce Gordon, Head of the Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health Unit at WHO, underscores the practical agenda provided by the report. He encourages health ministries to:

• Ensure safe management of healthcare waste
• Develop strong occupational health programs for waste workers
• Collaborate with municipalities to reduce health risks by closing open dumps and burn sites
• Gradually improve waste services towards safety and sustainability

These steps are vital to saving lives today and achieving cleaner, healthier cities in the future, contributing directly to the realization of multiple SDGs.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article emphasizes the public health crisis caused by poorly managed solid waste, linking waste management directly to health outcomes.
   • Focus on reducing diseases caused by hazardous chemicals, contaminated water, and vectors breeding in waste.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Safe management of municipal and health care waste is integral to climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems.
   • Contamination of drinking water sources due to improper waste disposal is highlighted.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Issues related to waste management in urban settings, including open dumpsites and burning, affecting city health and sustainability.
   • Calls for building healthy, clean cities through improved waste services.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Focus on waste prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling as part of the waste hierarchy.
   • Encouragement of sustainable consumption and production patterns.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Waste practices contribute to climate pollution; proper waste management can mitigate climate change impacts.
   • Promotion of climate-resilient technologies in waste management.
6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Creation of green jobs through proper waste management.
   • Focus on social protection and inclusion of informal waste workers.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of health risks.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
   • Target 6.2: Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including waste management.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
   • Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including informal workers.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Health-related Indicators
   • Incidence and prevalence of diseases related to exposure to hazardous waste chemicals and vectors (implied under SDG 3.9).
   • Number of health-care waste management facilities following safe treatment protocols (implied under SDG 3.d).
2. Water and Sanitation Indicators
   • Proportion of wastewater safely treated and proportion of drinking water sources free from contamination by solid waste (implied under SDG 6.3).
   • Access to safe sanitation and hygiene services, including safe waste disposal (implied under SDG 6.2).
3. Waste Management Indicators
   • Percentage of municipal solid waste collected and properly managed (implied under SDG 11.6 and 12.5).
   • Reduction in open dumping and open burning of waste (implied under SDG 11.6 and 12.4).
   • Volume of waste recycled, reused, or recovered (implied under SDG 12.5).
4. Climate Action Indicators
   • Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from waste management activities (implied under SDG 13.2).
5. Labor and Social Protection Indicators
   • Number of waste workers covered by occupational health programs and social protection (implied under SDG 8.8).
   • Inclusion of informal waste workers in social protection schemes (implied under SDG 8.8).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: who.int