Coronavirus: Commission presents guidelines on waste management in the coronavirus crisis

Today, the Commission published guidelines to support Member States in their waste management in these difficult times of coronavirus. The continuity in providing those services also during the coronavirus crisis is crucial for our health, for the environment, and for the economy. Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius,said: “In this unprecedented crisis, we are working with the Member States and waste operators across the EU to address the challenge of ensuring a high level of protection of human health and the environment. Proper waste management is part of the essential services underpinning the well-being of our citizens, delivered by numerous companies dealing with waste and keeping the circular economy going.” The Commission recognizes the efforts of waste management operators to ensure the continuity of proper waste management and handling the increased volume of households’ and medical waste. To support them in these efforts, the Commission provides guidelines on the management of municipal waste, management of waste from healthcare facilities, and on the health and safety of waste management operators and their workers. The guidelines can be found here.