Highlights New challenges in MSW management in Tehran after the COVID-19 pandemic was studied. Over 5.5 millions of PPEs are being daily discarded in Tehran during COVID-19. Hospital wastes are being disposed of without undergoing any treatment in Tehran. Landfilling of MSW has increased by 34.7% after the outbreak of COVID-19. Secondary contagion from improper management of MSW is probable in Tehran.

The COVID-19 pandemic have brought several environmental problems worldwide, among which management of municipal solid wastes (MSW) is of great importance due to the effects of solid wastes on soil, air and water resources. This research focused on the emerging challenges in MSW management in Tehran, the capital of Iran, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tehran has been experiencing higher generation of MSW during the pandemic. Extensive use of personal protective equipments increased textile and plastic wastes considerably. On average, more than 4.5 million pieces of facemasks have been daily discarded by Tehranian residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Generation of hospital wastes in Tehran also increased by 17.6-61.8% during the pandemic. Legal source separation and recycling programs are still suspended, though waste collection procedure in Tehran has not been subjected to significant changes after the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Hospital wastes, which had been partially separated and treated, are now being collected altogether and landfilled. Waste incineration and composting have been ceased completely; therefore landfilling of MSW has increased by 35% and opted as the only disposal option in Tehran during the COVID-19 outbreak. This research represents a baseline to devise proper urban waste management strategies in developing countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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