NWRA releases guidelines for safe waste handling during COVID-19 outbreak

The Arlington, Virginia-based National Waste and Recycling Association’s (NWRA) Healthcare Waste Institute (HWI) has published its latest document, COVID-2019 FAQs, to address safe handling of waste during this COVID-19 outbreak. The document aims to provide answers and guidance to commonly asked questions from NWRA member companies that do not routinely collect or process regulated medical waste. Notably, waste from homes where a patient has tested positive for COVID-19 can be managed as they would for the flu. No special precautions are necessary.

“It is important that everyone have the facts about COVID-19. As the outbreak spreads, it is important everyone understands how to safely handle waste. I applaud our Healthcare Waste Institute for preparing this timely FAQ document,” says NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith.

At the end of January, HWI published its interim guidance on the safe handling of waste during the outbreak.