Hazardous Waste Management
Considerations
- Normal waste: Cabin wastes generated during flight operations where no passenger or crew member exhibits COVID-19 symptoms should be handled as normal waste, as recommended by WHO, and disposed of in line with the procedures for such waste applicable in the State of destination.
Note.- This includes non-medical and medical masks. Only non-medical and medical masks that have been used by a person suspected by the cabin crew of having COVID-19 or visibly soaked with blood or body fluids should be treated as biohazardous waste.- Biohazardous waste: If a passenger or crew member exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, all waste materials including partly-consumed meals, beverages and disposable items as well as used paper towels, tissues and PPE (including non-medical and medical masks), generated whilst treating or supporting the passenger or crew member should be treated as biohazardous waste.
- Biohazardous waste should be placed in the biohazard waste disposal bag in the aircraft's UPK or double bagged in standard plastic waste bag. In accordance with WHO and other relevant guidelines the spraying or sprinkling of disinfectant into the contents of the biohazardous waste bags is not necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The action of spraying chemical disinfectant may result in virus particles of becoming airborne, presenting an additional risk to passengers and crew. The bags should be labelled and sealed. The airport authority and aircraft service providers must be informed of the presence of biohazardous waste.
- States should consider relieving the ban on single use plastics to permit their use by airports and civil aviation authorities for medical, hygiene and safety purposes during the pandemic.
- Airlines should prepare a written plan to share with stakeholders regarding their COVID-19 waste management procedures and communicate the information accordingly. Crew should be trained in the handling of biohazardous waste.
- Airports and/or the relevant waste handling stakeholders should identify potential options for the treatment and disposal of biohazardous cabin waste resulting from the pandemic and communicate the information accordingly. The relevant personnel should be trained in the handling of biohazardous waste.
Means for uniform implementation
- OEM communication through ICCAIA and OEM communication with airlines
