Biomedical Waste Management in India: Post-COVID 19 Trends & SDG Alignment

All healthcare facilities generate biomedical waste during the diagnosis and treatment of patients, both human and animal. Biomedical waste can exist in both solid and liquid forms, encompassing microbiological and biological waste, expired or discarded medicines, cytotoxic drugs, contaminated substances, infected solid and liquid waste, animal carcasses, human anatomical remains, ash from incineration, chemical by-products, and sharp instruments. This type of waste carries inherent risks and demands careful handling and proper disposal. The management of biomedical waste involves four essential stages: 1) its production, 2) separation, 3) accumulation and storage, and 4) processing and final disposal. It is a best practice for healthcare facilities to disinfect any waste before disposal. Improper handling of this waste can have significant adverse effects on the environment, humans, and other living organisms. Worldwide, medical facilities routinely generate substantial amounts of hazardous waste. Many developed countries have recently adopted advanced technologies to neutralize toxicity and ensure proper disposal in designated locations. Conversely, in countries like India, which are still developing, biomedical waste is frequently disposed of in open areas due to insufficient awareness, inadequate infrastructure, limited financial resources, and weak enforcement of national disposal regulations. This study seeks to examine the challenges associated with biomedical waste management, its effects on the environment, the legal provisions regulating waste disposal, and the extent of compliance across different state post COVID 19. Additionally, it proposes innovative solutions and best practices that can be standardized nationwide to enhance the efficiency of waste management.