Sustainable management of facemask waste generated from COVID-19 pandemic in Bhutan

The purpose of the study was to estimate facemask waste generation and examine management since the COVID-19 pandemic.A mixed-method approach was used to collect data in Class A Thromde (self-governing municipalities) of Bhutan. 1,527 general population was surveyed online from February to April 2022 (at the peak of the third wave of COVID-19) and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. This was supported by the waste characterization conducted at Memelhakha, the biggest open landfill in Thimphu Thromde. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with environmental officers and summarized emerging themes on management.The finding showed most of the participants discarded on average 3-4 surgical facemasks in a week. Thimphu Thromde generated surgical, and N95 (127.8, 63) waste (tons/year), while those respective figures were (26.7, 25.9), (60.7, 39.5), and (44.3, 28.6) for Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu, and Phuentsholing, respectively. The rise in facemask waste with an uncertainty of disposition, with all its concomitant pressure on management, has resulted in new risks and challenges for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). The pandemic has exposed the fragility of the wastesystem, with an increase in the volume of waste that is largely landfilled. Management of waste is important as we have had to contend with 51.6% increase in plastic waste including facemasks is challenging as it involves both social and technical aspects. Therefore, understanding the current scenario of facemask waste and management during the COVID-19 pandemic can be used as a tool to re-examine Bhutan’s overwhelmed management system to incorporate disaster preparedness and resilience to resist the change and impact beyond the pandemic.