According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, India generated a whopping 18,006 tonnes of biomedical waste due to Covid-19 in the last four months
Around 5,500 tonnes of Covid-19 waste was generated across the country in September, the highest in a month so far.
Of the 18,006 tonnes of Covid-19 biomedical waste generated in India since June, Maharashtra with 3,587-tonne waste contributed the maximum to it, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
It's followed by Tamil Nadu's 1,737 tonnes, Gujarat's 1,638 tonnes, Kerala's 1,516 tonnes, and UP's 1,432 tonnes. Delhi and Karnataka generated 1,400 tonnes and 1,380 tonnes waste respectively.
In May, CPCB developed the COVID19BWM mobile application to monitor coronavirus-related biomedical waste and to compile the data through electronic manifest system. This application tracks COVID-19 waste at the time of generation, collection and disposal.
Covid-19 biomedical waste could include PPE kits, masks, shoe covers, gloves, human tissues, items contaminated with blood, body fluids like dressings, plaster casts, cotton swabs, beddings contaminated with blood or body fluid, blood bags, needles, syringes etc.
