The recent call-to-action by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on all Indian states and Union Territories to take effective measures to address risks associated with the disposal of bio-medical waste amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is a much-needed initiative. This appeal comes in response to the growing concerns raised surrounding the unscientific disposal methods being practiced by unauthorized healthcare facilities.
The Challenge at Hand
Only 1.1 lakh of the total 2.7 lakh healthcare establishments are authorized as per the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules of 2016. NGT has urged State Pollution Control Boards and pollution control committees to bridge this gap and curb the risks arising out of unscientific waste disposal practices.
Earlier, similar requests were made by the Karnataka High Court to the Karnataka Government, to ensure the safety of sanitation workers collecting waste from homes where individuals under quarantine reside.
Guidelines for Safe Disposal Practices
As per the directives of the court, waste from quarantined households should be treated as biomedical waste. It should be put in yellow, non-chlorinated plastic bags, collected separately in dedicated vehicles, and managed according to the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016. Sanitation workers and vehicle drivers should also be provided with essential safety gear, like gloves, goggles, and gowns, to minimize the risk of infection.
About Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
The Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 were notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change to replace the previously existing Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998. The rules aim to manage the everyday bio-medical waste generated from healthcare facilities across the country.
Bio-medical waste is broadly defined as waste resulting from human and animal treatment, including waste from healthcare apparatus like needles, syringes, and more. Furthermore, the scope of these rules has been widened to include vaccination camps, blood donation camps, surgical camps, and other healthcare activities.
Key Elements of the Rules
The Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 emphasize phasing out the use of chlorinated plastic bags, gloves, and blood bags within two years from March 2016. They also stress pre-treatment of laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples, and blood bags as per guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
Further, all healthcare workers are required to undergo regular training and immunization. Additionally, a Bar-Code System for bags or containers meant for bio-medical waste disposal will be established. The categorization of bio-medical waste has been simplified into four classes instead of ten, with emphasis on segregation at the source.
Responsibility of State and Operators
As per the rules, state governments are tasked with providing land for setting up common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facilities. If a common facility is available within a 75 kilometer radius, no separate on-site treatment and disposal facility can be established. The operators of common facilities must guarantee timely collection of bio-medical waste and assist healthcare facilities in conducting necessary training.
About the National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Founded in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010, the NGT primarily focuses on effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. It serves as a specialized body equipped to handle diverse environmental disputes, adhering strictly to the principles of natural justice.
