The guidelines of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) outlined in the document entitled the Interim Indications on the management and disposal of disposable masks and gloves from domestic and non-domestic use, distinguish two types of waste: those for domestic use and those for non-domestic use.
Thus the Institute:
“For those work activities for which there are already waste streams assimilated to unsorted municipal waste (EER code 20 03 01), it is recommended to deliver disposable masks and gloves with such waste. For work activities that do not already have waste streams assimilated to unsorted municipal waste, the code that best represents the type of waste consisting of disposable masks and gloves is EER 15 02 03.
Considering the nature of the materials used for these protective devices, and that they meet a need to protect public health and not particular categories of workers exposed to specific occupational risks and also considering the transitory nature of their use, their assimilation to municipal waste appears to be a further possibility to be used in order to relieve both companies and public and private activities of any economic and managerial complications.
It is recommended, in any case, to prepare appropriate rules and procedures to indicate to workers NOT to throw disposable gloves and masks in containers not dedicated to this purpose, such as, for example, individual bins in individual work environments, or baskets serving desks or present along 5 corridors, in refreshment rooms, in toilets or in other places frequented and frequentable by several subjects.
The frequency of replacement of bags inside the containers will depend on the number of disposable masks and gloves used daily as well as the type of containers/bags made available by the employer.’.
The report also provides recommendations on the characteristics, positioning and handling of collection containers, which must be well identified, positioned near the exits of the workplace, in areas with adequate air exchange and protected from atmospheric agents.
PPE disposal: Containers to avoid direct contact
Containers that minimize direct contact of the worker who discards the mask or glove and that guarantee adequate ventilation are also recommended.
The bag containing the waste must be taken out only after it has been closed with adhesive tape or laces, recommending that sanitizing product be sprayed inside before closing it.
Further provisions on the subject are contained in Law No. 77 of 17 July 2020, converting Legislative Decree No. 34/2020 (so-called “relaunch” decree). In art. 229-bis, the legislator poses the problem of the increase in waste resulting from the widespread use of masks and gloves, referring to future guidelines of the Ministry of the Environment for the definition of measures concerning:
- a) specific collection methods from large-scale retail outlets, large users in the tertiary sector, public administrations;
- b) specific methods of collection of devices used by operators of other economic activities.
Features and recommendations for the management of work PPE waste
The law also promotes:
- the prevention, reuse and recycling of protective equipment;
- the adoption of protocols for the disinfection of devices in order to extend their life;
- the design of systems dedicated to collection;
- the search for technological means for the recovery of material from these devices;
- tests and trials aimed at demonstrating the maintenance of the characteristics of refurbished disposable products.
In addition to these national provisions, there are a series of regional ordinances, issued on the indication of the circular of the Ministry of the Environment of 30 March 2020, no. 22276 and by virtue of Legislative Decree 152/2006, to authorize special forms of waste management on its territory.
The aim is, more than anything else, to expand the volumes of temporary storage, the annual storage capacity of plants and landfills and the thermal capacity of incinerators in order to better manage the increase in volumes and avoid a shutdown of the plants and therefore of an essential service.
PPE disposal, prevention and safety in the workplace
Safety and protection of the person, especially in the workplace, are topics that deserve particular attention and require strict procedures in the current emergency context.
This is why Valli Gestioni Ambientali, in the intertwining of national and regional legislative measures, has also been involved in the drafting of a circular that examines different cases and behaviors to follow when it comes to the disposal of waste from disposable PPE.
Valli Gestioni Ambientali can deal with the disposal of PPE that is not potentially infected with EWC code 15 02 03, but also organizes the collection service of special hazardous waste at risk of infection with EWC code 18 01 03. Contact us for more information.
