Municipal waste management and COVID-19

16 March 2020 Content

Survey on the impact of the COVID-19 on municipal waste management systems

ACR+ ran a survey targeting municipal and local authorities (or their waste operators) to understand and assess the impact of the COVID-19 on their waste systems, in particular regarding the services provided, the quantities collected, health and safety measures, finances and communication to users.

The survey, combined with the collection of information and good practices, led to the identification of key trends:

Municipal waste generation decreased in most cities, with a significant decrease of assimilated waste generated by commercial activities, that did not compensate the increase of household waste linked with lockdown measures. Likewise, touristic areas could experience important decreases.
Municipal waste sorting performances could be maintained or even improved in many territories. However, waste authorities that had to decrease the collection service for selective collection experienced significant decrease.
Local authorities had to prioritise waste services to adapt to the changes of waste generation and shortage of staff; civic amenity sites were closed and on-demand collection interrupted in many territories, sometimes leading to fly-tipping.
The measures taken for the collection of potentially contaminated waste were quite different from one city to another. Some cities set specific collection routes for households with COVID-19 cases, while other only imposed specific precautionary measures.

The full report is available here. Make sure to also consult COLLECTORS Guidelines for implementation and Policy recommendations, that now includes specific sections on the COVID-19 pandemic.

This survey is conducted in the framework of H2020 COLLECTORS. This project's mainstay being to share knowledge between territories, it only took one step to use its strength and expand the exchange of experience to understanding and overcoming the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already had tremendous impacts on the waste sector. At first, while the pandemic was progressing and lockdowns imposed in many countries, public authorities and municipal waste operators had to rapidly adapt their waste management systems and procedures to the situation. This is when ACR+, replying to requests from its members, started collecting data on the different systems and solutions implemented with the aim of gathering and exchanging practices. This work is available on a page dedicated to what can be called the first phase, during which the priority was to provide a fast and safe answer to the questions raised by the pandemic. A summary of the trends observed amongst these practices during March is provided in the infographic below.

As the lockdown or other restrictive measures are progressively lifted, a second phase is starting and new challenges are appearing. Public authorities and municipal waste operators do not have to act to face an urgent situation but they now have to deal with the impacts of the different measures of the so-called first phase and with the necessity to re-assess the situation. Adaptation is needed once more, this time to search for stabilized operation. The crisis is also moving along the value chain reaching new actors such as recyclers. As it did during the first phase, ACR+ is gathering data on the situation in different countries to monitor the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on different waste management systems. The aim is to gather and exchange practices, being aware that situations are diverse and dependent on the national and local constraints as well as means available.

In several countries, surveys are conducted (at national, regional or local level) to assess the situation and provide a summary and statistics on waste collection and treatment activities during the lockdowns. Currently data are available for the city of Milan, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, England, Ireland, and France. Such information is indicated with the following pictogramme:

Note: the information is published as we received it, with the addition of the necessary sources and edition if required. Translations are made by our team and are not under the responsibility of the issuing authority or organisation. Should you want to contribute, please send an email to Paolo Marengo (pm@acrplus.org).

Last update: 18/11/2020

Summary of observed trends regarding municipal waste management during the COVID-19 crisis in March 2020 (click on the picture to enlarge it or download it as a pdf).

{tab Thematic focuses}

Thematic focuses

Demolition and construction

The European Demolition Association, EDA, has prepared a specific report to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 on the European demolition companies. The report includes graphics with the information at European level and country by country, as the situation differed substantially in each part of Europe, and even week by week. Download the report: www.europeandemolition.org

Environmental impact

The Geneva Environment Network lists relevant information, research, data issued by organisations in Geneva and around the world on the environmental origins and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, covering topics such as: impacts on wildlife, waste management, air pollution, climate change, biodiversity crisis, and greening economies.

Source: Geneva Environment Network

DRS systems

Resource Recycling published on 14 April an article on the damages made by the pandemic to the supply chain for deposit materials in the US. Read the full article here.

Recycling

On 15 May, Plastics Recyclers Europe announced that the European Plastics recycling industry is closing production due to the current market developments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The major problems are the lack of the demand due to the closure of converting plants and the record low prices of virgin plastics as well as the decreased activity globally.

Source: Plastics Recyclers Europe

The Bureau of International Recycling is sharing regular virus-related updates from around the world and to disseminate relevant information to the recycling industry. According to 15 May feedback, lockdowns eased and volumes begin their climb from low base. On 24 June BIR shared its concerns as activity levels remain well below normal. It notes that shutdowns and temporary stops could lead to an overall industry production loss as high as 40%.

Source: BIR

Reuse

Reloop and Zero Waste Europe partnered to release a joint policy paper to address the situation of reusable packaging and refillable systems in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

Single-use plastics

On 1 July 2020, the World Economic Forum published an article entitled "The plastic pandemic is only getting worse during COVID-19". It tackles the question of single-use plastics and the proliferation of plastic waste during the pandemic.

Source: World Economic Forum

Textile

ASIRTEX, the Iberian Association of Textile Recycling, has published a report (in Spanish) on the consequences of the current pandemic on the recycling sector for textile from households, focusing mainly on Spain. It covers the following aspects: Spanish regulation and regulatory measures to cover the cost of the collection service; closure of international markets; a non-existent textile recycling and the ecological impact on landfills; proposed measures for the rescue of the textile recycling sector.

Source: ASIRTEX

EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, launched a survey across Europe to collect reliable figures on the impact of the virus. Data look dramatic as companies expect a 50% drop in sales and production. Employment is also at risk, given that 80% of companies are already laying off workers. More: https://euratex.eu

Waste crime

To comply with the rules of social distance, Natural Resources Wales is using high-tech surveillance techniques to tackle unscrupulous waste operators seeking to take advantage of the Coronavirus crisis. They have turned to sophisticated drone technology and satellite cameras to help in the tracking of waste criminals. The new approach includes: using drone footage to investigate illegal waste disposal; participating and benefiting from research and tools created in partnership with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency through the Life SMART Waste Project; trialling the use of satellite imagery obtained from the European Space Agency, as well as high resolution commercial satellite data.

Source: Natural Resources Wales

Waste shipments

Several countries accept that movement document (Annex IBs) and green listed waste (Annex VII document) to be shown electronically. This means that the carrier can present the documents on mobile phone, tablet, laptop etc. The Shipment of Waste Enforcement Actions Project (SWEAP) has compiled a list of countries that accept electronic documents.

The EU Commission has published a document to ensure a common approach to securing the continuation of waste shipments across the EU during the COVID-19 outbreak. It also made available specific information from competent authorities in Member States and specific contact details of waste shipment competent authorities in Member States.

Zero waste

Zero Waste Europe has been analysing the impact of COVID-19 on zero waste and what can be done to keep working toward a zero waste future. They offer a FAQ on their website, answering to questions such as the impact of COVID-19 on reusable; if it has influenced separate collection and recycling; if incineration is necessary to treat waste during the pandemic; the impact on delivery services and disposables; what the industry is doing; how it affects waste pickers, etc.

{tab Webinars}

Several webinars have been organised on the topic. You can find a (not exhaustive) list of these webinars here.

{tab International}

International

Phase 1

In June UNEP issued several factsheets on waste management (most of them available also in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, Hindi, and Portuguese), each factsheet (except the one linked to technologies) is composed of the following sections: problem; guidance; fact; way forward (at short, medium and long-term).

Source: UNEP

The International Finance Corporation (part of the World Bank Group) published in June a note on the COVID-19’s Impact on the Waste Sector. It includes four sections: Sector Background; COVID-19’s impact on the Sector; Response to the crisis; Going forward. It concludes that more sustainable solid waste management (SWM) practices must be adopted, which requires (a) increased SWM sector funding and cost recovery from constituents, (b) participation from public, industry, and other waste producers in a comprehensive solution, and (c) development of monitoring and enforcement capacity. Examples of how international development institutions can engage with governments are given such as creating formal plastic recycling markets, setting public awareness campaigns, supporting the informal sector, etc.

Source: International Finance Corporation

{tab European Union}

European Union

Phase 1

Being aware that currently many policymakers are looking for solutions to mitigate the social, economic and environmental effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Interreg Europe is putting forward all the relevant solutions available in its database of good practices for their use. A special tag ‘COVID-19’ has been created to help users to find the relevant good practices. The database already contains over 1,500 tested and well-evidenced policy solutions in the four thematic areas covered by the programme: research and innovation, SME competitiveness, low-carbon economy, and the environment and resource efficiency. It is possible for users to submit their own good practice to the database. The programme took other actions to support European policymakers, described in a page dedicated to COVID-19.

{tab Austria}

Austria

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Belgium}

Belgium

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Canada}

Canada

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Croatia}

Croatia

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Czech Republic}

Czech Republic

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Estonia}

Estonia

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Finland}

Finland

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab France}

France

Phase 1

National - Associations and organisations

Additional resources:
Stratégie de reprise et continuité des activités de gestion des déchets (15/05/20)

Coronavirus et gestion des déchets état des lieux:

AMORCE (French network for information, sharing of experiences and support for local authorities in the field of energy transition, territorial waste management and water cycle management) published on 13 May a note to specify by activity the conditions under which the staff in charge of household waste collection and processing can continue or gradually resume their duties without specific risk of exposure to Covid-19, and the impacts to be integrated on the operation and organisation of activities that resume in degraded or normal mode. Almost all of the recycling centers having closed to the public in mid-March, their reopening in particular gives rise to many problems: significant volume of waste to be absorbed, pressure from users for a "normal" service offer, respect safety conditions for staff and users, etc. AMORCE recommends to resume activities according to 3 axis:

- progressive return to activity within a territory (a system of appointment, limited opening days, etc.) or limitation to specific streams to test different organisations before complete opening;
- regulation of flow: complying with the social dsitancing rules inplies filtering vehicles, users with more staff at the entrance to manage waiting lines, recall instructions and limit the number of users on site;
- close cooperation of all actors: importance of co-construction reopening scenario between local authorities, public security forces, and other actors of the value chain (wharf providers, transport, eco-organisms, etc.)

On 11 May AMORCE gave an overview of the situation regarding the continuity of EPR schemes in France.

AMORCE also published from the end of March a weekly summary on the situation in France, collecting data from its members on waste collection and treatment activities. It gives an overview on: the number of civic amenity sites open; the percentage of door-to-door collection or bring-bank services for selective collection maintained, reduced or suspended (and the reasons); the situation regarding residual waste management; the activity of recycling centre; the activities linked to composting, garden waste and bio-waste; the activity of Mechanical Biological Treatment of residual waste, energetic valorisation units, and installations to stock non dangerous waste; staff absenteeism rate in the valorisation and treatment units. On 18 May, regarding mixed waste collection, all the collections (in 95 surveyed communities) are taking place, 42% of communities have noted a tendency to deposit non-conforming waste in the bins (mixed-waste or separate collections) and 48% noted an upsurge of illegal deposits. For selective collections (door-to-door or bring-banks), the rates of interruption are decreasing: 8% for bring-bank collection for glass, 10% for packaging or multi-material collection, 7% for paper-graphic-fibers collection, 10% for food waste, 4% for green waste, 41% for bulky waste. Bulky waste and textile collections are the most interrupted. Most of the civic amenity sites (98 surveyed) have been progressively open to welcome users on 11 May, with adapted and reduced conditions (masks, reduction of the number of visitors). Only 9% of them are completely closed (against 33% on 24 April).

Source: AMORCE

Additional resources - Note impact COVID 19 sur les collectes sélectives en France

CITEO (the French organization in charge of the Extended Producer Responsibility for household packaging and graphic paper) is producing every week a situational analysis regarding the activity of sorting centres, the continuity of glass collection and the recovery of materials.

On 25 May, 97% of sorting centres have resumed their activities. Glass collection is back to normal (sample of 90 local authorities representing more than 35 million inhabitants). 95% of communities (sample of 88 local authorities representing more than 35 million inhabitants) maintain their collection of light packaging.

170 sorting centers confirmed the continuity of their activity (representing 97% of the fleet of sorting centers). To date, 28 of them have, however, reduced activity compared to the usual situation, mainly due to a decrease in incoming quantities following the cessation of selective collection in the territories, but also due to a decrease in throughput of production induced by the rules of safety distance between employees requiring the reduction of the number of these on sorting belts, or sometimes even an adaptation of the composition of sorted flows.

Source: CITEO

In July 2020, CITEO realised a survey on recycling habits during the confinement period, . The study reveals that 78% of French people kept their sorting habits during confinement and nearly 1 in 5 (18%) even paid much more attention. Another impact of the crisis on consumer perceptions: a more lucid report on the volume of waste they produce on a daily basis and for 63% of them, the desire to limit this production.

Source: CITEO

Paris

On 6 May the Syctom, the Paris metropolitan agency responsible for treating and recovering the household waste produced by 6 million inhabitants of 85 municipalities, declared preparing a return to its activities. From 11 May, all of the papers and packaging collected separately on the Syctom territory will again be sorted and recycled, with only 1 sorting centre out of 5 still closed (previously 4 were closed). Civic amenity sites - previously all closed - will open again as of 11 May, with specific reception arrangements. During the period from 17 March-6 May , the tonnages of household and assimilated waste evolved considerably: after a sudden drop the first week, the tonnages continued to decrease until reaching, at the beginning of April, -32% compared to a normal week. Since then, there has been a slight recovery in tonnages, which remain 25% lower than the usual tonnages.

The financial consequences will be significant for Syctom: the additional costs and lower revenues linked to the Covid-19 epidemic are currently estimated at EUR 8.6 millions.

Source: SYCTOM

{tab Germany}

Germany

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Great-Britain}

Great-Britain

Phase 1

Additional resources:

The consultancy Tolvik issued a series of Briefing Reports on the impact of COVID-19 on the Residual Waste market in the UK, with an initial report published on 23 March 2020, a second version on 15 April, a third update on 29 May where it forecasted that the maximum impact of lockdown, on an annualised basis, would be a reduction in Residual Waste tonnages in the UK of 16.9% (23.2Mt vs 27.8Mt for 2019). In a fourth update published on 15 September, preliminary quarterly data from the Environment Agency combined with monthly RDF export data led to the estimation that the actual impact of COVID-19 was a reduction in residual waste tonnages of 15.6%.

An Autumn version of the Report published on 10 November uses a range of provisional data sources to assess the actual impact of COVID-19 during the second quarter of 2020 (April – June). Informed by this analysis, together with recent economic projections, this version of the Briefing Report develops an updated series of projections for Residual Waste in England for the rest of 2020-21 and through to 2025.

Source: Tolvik

Additional resources:

WRAP has published a series of reports detailing how UK citizens’ food habits, behaviours and attitudes have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. A first survey published in May looks at citizens and food during lockdown. It found out that UK citizens are managing their food better in lockdown, including more pre-shop planning, better in-home food management and using creative approaches to cooking and that the new behaviours are leading to a reported 34% reduction in waste of potatoes, bread, chicken, and milk.

A second report published in July details how UK citizens’ food habits, behaviours and attitudes have changed as lockdown eases. As lockdown has continued the UK positive food management behaviours have endured and extended. 70% of UK citizens declared that they want to maintain at least some of these behaviours post-lockdown. But the report warns that easing of lockdown could see increased levels of wasted food.

The third report of October "Life in flux" finds that almost four in five UK citizens (79%) undertook additional food management behaviours during lockdown, and these behaviours endured as lockdown eased. However, fewer than 30% of them see a link between wasting food and climate change.

Source: WRAP

England - Associations

London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) commissioned research and developed guidance to help London local authorities respond to the pandemic in certain key areas including:

Commercial waste adaptation: the project is split into two phases: phase 1 report (July 2020) addresses the immediate impact COVID-19 had on commercial waste services whereas phase 2 report (October 2020) aims to help London local authorities understand the longer-term impact of COVID-19 on commercial waste tonnages and composition;
London learnings: surveys of London’s waste authorities to establish what measures they introduced to protect waste and recycling services during the March 2020 COVID- 19 lockdown. A report summarises the findings of those surveys;
Adapting waste services to COVID-19 webinar;
Communication assets: a number of downloadable communications assets have been created to help boroughs communicate essential COVID-19 messages to residents.

Source: LWARB

The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO), partnered with the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT), the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) to publish a detailed guide for the reopening of closed household waste recycling centres (HWRCs). The guide provides a number of considerations for local authorities in devising plans for restarting the recycling centre services. With reference to social distancing, the associations said that in addition to controlling the number of private vehicles on site, measures can be put in place to enhance or passively enforce social distancing to be maintained such as barriers, marking on the ground, signage, etc. Authorities are advised to ensure container access points such as steps etc allow to be occupied by only a single person at a time.

Source: NAWDO

Additional resources - Covid 19 - waste survey results:

The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) is publishing results of waste surveys carried out by networks including the Local Authority Recycling Advisory committee (LARAC), the Local Government Association (LGA) and the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) to understand the changing status of waste services across England, and the continuing impacts of Covid-19.

The 16th and final analysis of 7 September shows that for most responding local authorities all core collection services are now operating at near normal, with 91% of councils now reporting food waste collections back to pre-Covid levels and no disruption. Street sweeping services are now operating normally in 98% of responding local authorities.

For residual and recycling collection services, levels of disruption from Covid-19 related issues remain low with only 10% and 22% of responding authorities respectively reporting minor levels of disruption.

Disposal services are operating with little, if any, disruption but Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) in most areas continue to be significantly impacted by the effects of social distancing. Only 35% of councils report their HWRCs to be operating normally, although all councils report services to be available.

Tonnages remain higher than normal for most waste types and especially for recycling, residual waste and food waste, with most councils reporting some level of increase in these waste types. The only waste type which is significantly lower than normal is commercial waste, which is reported as being less than normal by 73% of councils.

Source: ADEPT

{tab Ireland}

Ireland

Phase 1

The three Regional Waste Management Offices of Ireland published an interim report on the performance of the waste sector in the country in the initial restrictions phase (12 March - 18 May). It provides information on the key decisions taken, the key stakeholders involved, the success factors and vulnerabilities, and actions to take to build on success factors and deal with vulnerabilities. A short summary is also available.

The report also gives indication on waste generation and management. Household waste increased by 21% on average during the restrictions period with residual waste up by 19%, recycling waste up by 8% and organic waste up by 26%. The increase in organic waste arising was reflected in waste recovery at compost and bio stabilisation facilities which increased by 25% during the period. Commercial waste generation dropped down by 50% during the period. The suspension of construction activity resulted in a 70% reduction in construction and demolition waste arising during the period while skip hire, casual use, increased significantly. Civic Amenity Facilities saw an initial surge in activity with people involved in clear-outs and clean-ups. Bring Centres saw a surge in glass volumes which was sustained during the period. International textile outlets declined during the period however bring banks were maintained by operators. Waste disposal at landfill was in line with projections during the period with the bio stabilised fraction remaining relatively high reflecting the reduced dependence on waste export during the period.

Source: Eastern Waste Management Office

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton announced on 22 April that €1m of funds from the Anti Dumping Initiative will be ring-fenced to support efforts to tackle a reported increase in illegal dumping during the Covid 19 crisis. Waste removal and the installation of CCTV or other monitoring and surveillance equipment will be among the activities supported.

Source: Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

{tab Israel}

Israel

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Italy}

Italy

Phase 1

National level - Government

The Italian National Authority responsible to rule the Energy, Water, and Waste frameworks has released on 05 May a resolution laying down non household municipal waste fee modulation criteria to take into consideration the consequences of the pandemic. It contains a set of measures aimed at mitigating the lockdown economic effects for various categories of users. The ‘polluter pays’ principle underlies the modulation factors for industrial and commercial users, in order to take into account, the reduction of the waste generated as a consequence of the shutdown of the activities. Social driven criteria can be followed to address specific households needs in the current circumstances.

The resolution will have to be transposed into local regulations by the local authorities responsible for the municipal waste management.

Source: ARERA

National level - Organisations

The Italian Institution for the Local Finance and Economy published on 25 April a note with instructions to municipalities about granting waste fee reduction for businesses which have had to suspend their activities or have exercised them in a reduced form due to the emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic since the situation for these users led to a lower production of waste. The waste fee reductions can be financed from the municipal budget's own revenue, with a resolution to be adopted by 30 June 2020. Lastly, the note specifies that it would be appropriate "to immediately establish extensions of payment terms for the categories most affected by forced closure or the economic crisis".

Source: IFEL - Fondazione ANCI

Local level

Milan

An overview of Milan's activities during the COVID-19 has been prepared by AMSA, the waste operator for the municipality of Milan. It includes information on current situation and critical issues; rationalization plan and main goals; waste data; waste collection services & indications for separate collection; street sanitation; measures to prevent contagion among workers; communication; citizens' collaboration. In relation to the data, during this period (weeks 10-14) municipal solid waste has decreased by 27.5% on average (compared to 2019). The decrease in residual waste is significantly more than recyclables, so recycling is still taking place.

Source: AMSA

{tab Lebanon}

Lebanon

Phase 1.

In August, the North Lebanon Solid Waste Management Task Force met and discussed activities related to the COVID-19 outbreak as well as the challenges faced. In particular they exchanged a general overview on the Healthcare Waste Sector Background and the different decrees and laws under the sector, the process of treating the medical waste in Lebanon as well as information on the Pre-Feasibility Study done by the Ministry of Environment. Details are included in a ppt presentation.

{tab Luxembourg}

Luxembourg

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab The Netherlands}

The Netherlands

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Norway}

Norway

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Palestine}

Palestine

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Peru}

Peru

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Portugal}

Portugal

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Serbia}

Serbia

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Slovakia}

Slovakia

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Slovenia}

Slovenia

We currently have data only regarding the first phase. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have information on the current situation.

{tab Spain}

Spain

Phase 1

National

To guarantee that the deconfinement is planned according to criteria of circularity, prevention of waste generation and promotion of reuse of products, as well as preparation for reuse and re-cycling of waste, the Spanish Government has issued guidelines regarding waste prevention during the deconfinement. It details measures that businesses may consider with regard to the generation of waste.

It is completed by two infographics for a sustainable deconfinement, summarising key recommendations to reduce the use of single-use products, targeting citizens and businesses.

Balearic Islands

According to data collected by the Ministry of Environment and Territory, the generation of municipal waste in the Balearic Islands decreased due to the confinement. Up to 20 April 2020, 59,038 tonnes of municipal waste have been generated in the Balearic Islands, 14% less than in the same date last year (when 78,666 tonnes were collected). Selective collection also decreased comapred to the previous year, by 11%. Regarding separate fractions, the sharpest fall was in paper and cardboard (19%), followed by organic waste (12%) and glass packaging (11%). Light packaging, on the other hand, experienced an increase of 2%.

Source: Govern Illes Balears

Catalonia

Additional resources:

On 16 April, the Waste Agency of Catalonia published some data on municipal waste after a month of confinement. Municipal waste generation has dropped to an estimated 242,000 tonnes, which is 16.65% lower than in a normal month (282,340 tonnes). For Barcelona, waste generation fall of 25%, due to the high concentration of labor, commercial and tourist activities in the city which are now closed or reduced. Selective collection (organic, paper and cardboard, glass, lightweight packaging) as a whole decreased in Catalonia by 20% compared to a normal month (72,000 tonnes compared to the normal 89,000 tonnes). Mixed waste also decreased - of 12% in average - with a greated decrease in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (17.5%) and even greated in the city of Barcelona (25%).

Source: Government of Catalonia

Regarding medical waste (including masks, gloves, overalls, or davantals), the Waste Agency of Catalonia (ARC) has detected a 350% increase since mid-March. If some 3,300 tonnes are usually generated in Catalonia (about 275 tonnes per month), since the start of the confinement in March, the generation has reached up to 1,200 tonnes, that is 925 tonnes more than usual. To facilitate the rapid and optimal treatment of this waste, the ARC has implemented measures that have reinforced the ordinary management that is carried out by the three authorised plants. The incineration of part of the medical waste (the one considered as low risk) has been authorised in some recovery plants which are receiving waste from health centers and converted hotels. On 15 April, 700 of the 1,200 tonnes treated in Catalonia were treated in municipal waste incinerators.

Source: Waste Agency of Catalonia

On 17 April, taking into consideration the reduction of the confinement measures decreed by the State, the Waste Agency of Catalonia informed that local authorities can assess the possibility of opening collection services if the security conditions can be guaranteed.

Source: Waste Agency of Catalonia

{tab Sweden}

Sweden

Phase 1

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has introduced temporary and amended procedures to ensure efficient case handling and practical solutions for waste shipments in accordance with Regulation EC 1013/2006.

Source: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

{tab Switzerland}