Face mask and medical waste generation in the City of Baguio, Philippines: its current management and GHG footprint

• Published in: Journal of material cycles and waste management Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 1216 - 1226
• Main Authors: Lunag, Marcelino N., Abana, Alexander S., Agcaoili, Juco P., Arellano, Jillien Kaith T., Caluza, Coleen Angela G., Decena, Nick Brylle V., Paz, Emmanuel R. Dela, Delgado, Lyka Angela B., Obero, Aaron F., Ocampo, Don Miguel E., Sacdalan, Charlene Ann D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer Japan 01.03.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Civil Engineering; Computer applications; COVID-19; Ecological effects; Ecological footprint; Engineering; Environmental degradation; Environmental effects; Environmental Management; Footprint analysis; Garbage collection; Global warming; Medical wastes; Regional Case Study; Solid wastes; Waste disposal; Waste management; Waste Management/Waste Technology; Philippines; Facemask; Energy recovery; Waste generation; Environmental impact; Baguio city
• ISSN: 1438-4957; 1611-8227; 1611-8227
• DOI: 10.1007/s10163-023-01601-2

The daily use of facemask to prevent virus transmission increases the negative effect on the environment because of improper waste disposal. Due to the absence of baseline data, the impact of facemask and medical waste generation, as well as the community’s management practice, should be studied to avoid further environmental degradation. In this study, we surveyed 384 respondents and conducted computational analysis to provide an overview of the household’s facemask usage and ecological footprint in combating Covid-19. Results showed that most respondents (48.7%) use two facemasks per day. Thus, an estimated 417,834 facemasks are disposed daily, generating 3,585 kg/day of additional waste. The average medical waste of Covid-infected individuals is 3.29 kg per day per capita. This yields 22,438 kg. of CO 2 eq., which could contribute to the global warming potential; however, there is also a potential recovery of 61.572 gigajoules of energy for power generation. Most respondents are aware of proper facemask waste management practices, but some lacks application regarding responsible waste disposal. Despite the contribution of facemask to the overall solid waste generation, the city’s current management remains a challenge since disposable facemasks are potentially mixed with other types of waste from its storage, collection, and disposal.