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COVID19: Recommendations for waste workers

Waste management is an invaluable public health service, especially during the current coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).  Waste workers provide essential sanitation and contribute to local economies, to public health and safety, and to environmental sustainability.

But gathering, collecting, and sorting what others throw away puts them at risk in this pandemic. Their work entails high exposure to germs and high proximity to other people — for example, waste workers handle materials, including medical waste, that may be contaminated with coronavirus.

Public messaging about the need for proper segregation of household medical waste to keep any contaminated material from being collected with recyclables is crucial to reduce risk of exposure for all waste workers.

WIEGO, working with public health experts and partner organizations, developed guidelines for waste workers, their organizations and sanitation agencies to help prevent the spread of the disease.

USE & SHARE THESE SAFETY TIPS on reducing risk for waste workers.