Despite the fact that India already has Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, in place, the CPCB released rules and guidelines of biomedical waste management rules, 2020 to ensure that waste created during human testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients is disposed of in a scientific manner.
The guidelines said that, in addition to the rules concerning biomedical waste, double-layered bags (two bags) "should be utilised for the collection of waste to provide enough strength and no-leaks" in isolation wards where COVID-19 patients are kept.
"Collect and store biomedical waste separately before moving it to the Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility" (CBWTF). To store COVID-19 waste, use a separate collecting container labelled COVID-19 and keep it segregated in a temporary storage area before handing it over to the CBWTF's authorised staff. "Biomedical waste collected in such isolation wards can also be lifted directly from ward into CBWTF collection van," the instructions stated while requesting a separate record of COVID-19 isolation ward waste.
The guidelines further stated that bags/containers used to collect biomedical waste from COVID-19 wards should be clearly labelled as COVID-19 waste so that CBWTFs may quickly identify the material for priority treatment and disposal. Furthermore, the guidelines sent to all states mandate the use of specific trolleys and collection bins in COVID-19 isolation wards, as well as the disinfection of the surfaces of containers, bins, and trolleys used for COVID-19 storage on a regular basis.
For COVID-19 suspected patients, the CPCB recommended taking comparable precautions at sample collection centres and laboratories. The opening or operation of COVID-19 ward, sample collection centres, and laboratories should also be informed to the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), according to the pollution watchdog.
At the quarantine facilities and during home care for suspected COVID-19 patients, the guidelines highlighted that even though a low quantity of biomedical waste is estimated to be generated, they nevertheless need to follow strict protocols to ensure safe handling and disposal of waste.
Biomedical waste should be collected separately in yellow bags (yellow coloured, non-chlorinated plastic bags) and handed over to approved waste collectors contracted by local bodies when suspected patients are cared for at home. The guidelines stated that "urban local bodies should employ the CBWTFs to pick up such waste either directly from such isolated homes or from identified collection places."
The CPCB has instructed the CBWTFs that will be disposing of this waste to keep a separate record for COVID-19 waste collection, treatment, and disposal. It asked them to report waste received from COVID-19 isolation wards, quarantine camps, quarantined houses, and testing centres to state pollution control boards.