As cases rise, surge in bio-waste raises a fresh challenge in Covid fight

Used protective gear, masks, gloves and syringes add to environmental concerns as well as financial costs of hospitals

There has been a near five-fold increase in biomedical waste generated on account of Covid, with used protective gear, masks, gloves and syringes adding to environmental concerns as well as financial costs of hospitals. 

While the total quantity of waste being generated in the country due to Covid is not known, several states in order to meet the increased load have started outsourcing the collection of these items while also roping in spare incineration units in the cities to dispose of such material. 

Biomedical waste in hospitals per bed daily has gone up from 500 gms in normal times