In all phases of humanitarian response, whether acute response, protracted crisis or even in transition to development, safe SWM is a crucial element of the protection of affected communities and sustainable, healthy and inclusive living conditions for all. This priority is reflected in the UN resolution of the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. It is addressed in various Sustainable Development Goals, including the 11th(sustainable cities and communities), the 12th (responsible consumption and production) the 14th (life below water) and the 15th (life on land). SWM is included with dedicated minimum standards in the Sphere Handbook, highlighted in the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations and aligned with the Global Compact on Refugees.
Inadequate and unsafe SWM can have adverse effects on public health and the environment and affect the well-being, dignity and prosperity of communities. In humanitarian contexts and protracted crises, governments, in collaboration with humanitarian and development organisations, must aim to reduce and prevent the exposure of individuals, communities and the environment to risks and threats, which includes unmanaged solid waste. Further, the efforts of humanitarian actors must adhere to the ’Do No Harm’ principle and not contribute intentionally or unintentionally to the existing instability, destruction and suffering. This demands action on waste prevention [P.2] and the safe and adequate handling of solid waste.
Humanitarian contexts increase the already challenging provision of day-to-day waste management services in stable and peaceful contexts. Disasters or armed conflicts might disrupt regular waste services, reduce capacity for safe waste handling, or generate significant amounts of additional waste. A sudden increase in service recipients and generated waste volumes may overburden existing infrastructure and services. Rapidly growing temporary settlements may require the establishment of new or additional services.
In humanitarian response, SWM is still frequently under-prioritised through insufficient funding and because the lack of SWM is not considered an immediate threat to life. This is a misconception, as inadequate SWM can significantly increase the protection risks of affected communities that may already be vulnerable. Ensuring proper waste management is essential to ensure protection, maintain hygiene, prevent disease outbreaks and support the overall recovery and rehabilitation effort. As a public good service, it is essential that no one is excluded from SWM services. The negative effects of non-availability and non-use affect all individuals.
The level of risk due to a lack of SWM services depends on the quantity and composition of waste, the duration of the disrupted service and the likelihood that people are directly exposed to the waste or indirectly exposed to the waste’s harmful effects. The likelihood of exposure is linked to population density, the location of the population, aspects of the waste system, environmental factors such as predominant winds and water resources, and geographical factors such as the topography. In locations with high population density and poorly managed waste, the risk that the population will be exposed to the adverse effects of waste increases. In cases of open and uncontrolled disposal [U.10], public health and environmental risks extend beyond the initial location of waste disposal. Animals, wind and water can spread the waste in settlements and into the neighbouring environment.
The overall importance of SWM is reflected in five actions:
Protection of Public Health: Unmanaged waste can increase the prevalence of chronic diseases, pathogenic infections and the infestation of vermin. For example, open burning [U.11] and contained burning [U.12] emit highly toxic and carcinogenic substances (dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and short-lived climate pollutants (black carbon) that can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and increase cancer risk. A lack of waste management can lead to stagnant water where several species of mosquitoes breed, transmitting diseases such as malaria, chikungunya, dengue and zika fever. Unmanaged waste can also attract and provide a breeding ground for other disease vectors, such as rodents. Uncollected waste in streets, open spaces and watercourses lead to the clogging of drains [W.6], water stagnation and pollution, as well as flooding which results in the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera or even the plague. Flooding can also damage infrastructure and lead to the direct loss of life. Uncollected waste in streets and open spaces may also pose a direct threat to people who come into contact with it and may suffer from cut injuries or skin diseases.
Prevention of Environmental Pollution and Degradation: Inappropriate SWM can introduce harmful substances into the soil, water bodies and the air. This contamination can lead to short-term, long-term or irreversible damage to the natural habitat and wildlife and may affect the human food chain. Pollution can be caused by the waste materials themselves, by water flowing through waste to contaminated streams (leachate) or from inappropriate handling of waste such as open and uncontrolled burning [U.11]. Uncontrolled open burning of waste releases persistent organic pollutants, which bioaccumulate in ecosystems with significant negative impact. Leachate from waste can contaminate surface and groundwater water bodies and contaminate soils. Plastic waste and its persistence over time have emerged as one of the global waste and resource management challenges of our time. The disintegration of plastics can release toxic additives or lead to the formation of microplastics. Unmanaged plastic waste can also cause deadly entanglements for animals and plastic pieces or microplastics are ingested by animals and accumulate throughout the natural food chain. While microplastics have been found in human food chains and even human blood, the health risks remain unclear.
Avoidance of Resource Depletion: A large part of the natural resources extracted to produce consumer goods are finite or limited. Resource extraction itself commonly comes with environmental risks and pollution. Linear consumption, where resources are used and discarded after their lifespan, increases the required resources and corresponding pollution. This dependency on, and need for, virgin resources can be counteracted by applying the principles of a circular economy and waste management strategies that prioritise reduction, reuse and recycling (3Rs) [P.1]. Agricultural production extracts nutrients and organic matter from soils, reducing soil carbon over time and leading to soil degradation, including lower water retention and higher soil erosion. Organic waste recycling and its use in livestock and agricultural production can ensure that carbon and nutrients are recovered and re-enter the soil and food cycle. 3R strategies and their implementation not only contribute to a circular system but also reduce waste amounts requiring transport, treatment and disposal, alleviating the overall solid waste management challenge.
Maximising Peaceful Coexistence Between and Within Communities: The first three actions - protection of public health, prevention of environmental pollution and degradation and avoidance of resource depletion – need to be addressed so that all members of the affected communities benefit equally from SWM and equitably share its burden ([X.9]). An uneven provision of services, or the protection of one part of a community at the expense of another, will not foster peaceful coexistence between or within communities. This is particularly important in humanitarian settings, where communities are already vulnerable, traumatised, exhausted and might struggle for their survival. It becomes even more essential in displacement settings, where suddenly different communities are living side by side. This may include refugees and host communities living side by side. Equitable and fair SWM can and must play its part in creating an enabling environment for peaceful coexistence. Providing SWM services creates employment and livelihood opportunities, for example, through ’cash for work’ programmes, paid volunteers or regular employment. Recycling and resource recovery can also generate employment outside the SWM provider such as in the private recycling sector or for community-based organisations. Creating value from waste and making inexpensive raw materials locally available can support local economies. Good SWM also contributes to community well-being by living in a clean and well-managed environment and supports community cohesion.
Climate Change Mitigation: Waste also significantly affects the global climate, aggravating climate change. The open burning of waste [U.11] and the uncontrolled decomposition of high volumes of organic waste in dumpsites [U.10] generate greenhouse gas emissions. Methane from uncontrolled decomposition in dumpsites or black carbon from open burning are both short-lived climate pollutants, a group of pollutants that have a particularly high impact on climate change [X.8].
