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An Improved Strategy to Effectively Manage Healthcare Waste after COVID-19 in Republic of Korea

Author

Listed:
  • Min-Jung Kim

    (Resource Recirculation Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea
    Department of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea)

  • Yoon-Soo Park

    (Resource Recirculation Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea)

  • Taesung Kim

    (Resource Recirculation Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea)

  • Hyo-Hyun Choi

    (Resource Recirculation Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea)

  • Young-sam Yoon

    (Resource Recirculation Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea)

  • Tae-wan Jeon

    (Resource Recirculation Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea)

  • Namil Um

    (Resource Recirculation Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, 24,289 tons of infectious waste was generated in 2021 in Korea, a 320% increase compared to that generated in 2020 (5788 tons). The disposal of other healthcare waste has been delayed because COVID-19 infectious waste must be disposed of first, leading to long-term concerns related to the lack of healthcare waste disposal capacity. To solve this problem, this study investigated healthcare waste classification systems in Korea and overseas. We analyzed the current state of healthcare waste in Korea and compared the treatment methods and healthcare waste treatment systems by country. The results showed that Korea has a strict healthcare waste management system compared to other countries, which relies on dedicated incinerators and transport. It is difficult to expand incinerators exclusively for healthcare waste due to site selection issues because they incinerate infectious waste. Therefore, to solve the healthcare waste disposal problem, Korea should improve its management system to reduce treatment amounts. This study suggests that general healthcare waste that is considered less infectious should be excluded from healthcare waste-exclusive treatment and that sterilization/grinding as an intermediate treatment method should be allowed.

Suggested Citation

  • Min-Jung Kim & Yoon-Soo Park & Taesung Kim & Hyo-Hyun Choi & Young-sam Yoon & Tae-wan Jeon & Namil Um, 2024. "An Improved Strategy to Effectively Manage Healthcare Waste after COVID-19 in Republic of Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:2696-:d:1363544
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