Guidance on solid waste and health

Solid waste refers to any type of garbage, trash, refuse or discarded material. It can be categorized according to where the waste is generated, for example as municipal solid waste, health care waste and e-waste. Over 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste are produced annually.

Improper disposal can lead to adverse health outcomes, for example through water, soil and air contamination. Hazardous waste or unsafe waste treatment such as open burning can directly harm waste workers or other people involved in waste burning and neighbouring communities. Vulnerable groups such as children are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Poor waste collection leads to environmental and marine pollution and can block water drains. Resulting flooding and other standing waters in waste items favour cholera and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.

About 54 million tons of e-waste, such as TVs, computers and phones, are created annually (2019 data) with an expected increase to 75 million tons by 2030. In 2019 only 17% of e-waste was documented as being properly collected and recycled. Exposure to improperly managed e-waste and its components can cause multiple adverse health and developmental impacts especially in young children.