To the hands of the Chairman of the Central Crisis Staff of the Czech Republic, Jan Hamáček
IN PRAGUE, 16 FEBRUARY 2021
Dear Chairman of the Central Crisis Staff,
The situation in the management and disposal of infectious waste from hospitals is critical and almost unsustainable due to the persistence of high above-limit production. We are contacting you because we want to maintain the safe management and disposal of infectious waste in the Czech Republic, and thus prevent the potential risk of secondary infection from inappropriate handling of this rapidly increasing hazardous waste. We are currently facing almost double the volume of infectious waste compared to the normal pre-pandemic period.
The situation has been serious for a long time and is close to collapse. The current infrastructure for the management and disposal of this waste has hit its limits and in some locations has exceeded them.
Infectious wastes are normally disposed of by thermal means
in hazardous waste incinerators under strict environmental conditions for handling, transport and disposal. Due to the enormous increase in the quantity of these wastes, the entire sector is running out of both staff and storage capacity and is reaching the limits of compliance with the established operating rules.
Since the beginning of the crisis, we have been working to the limit to help manage the situation. In any case, we do not want to leave the risks associated with infectious waste management to hospitals, which are now focusing all their capacities on managing the current crisis situation and have completely full storage capacity for infectious waste on their premises. There is simply not enough capacity in the country.
Mr. Speaker, based on our findings and actions, we are able to manage the current onslaught and remove all infectious waste thermally and environmentally, but we need help and support to push for and pass the following exemptions to help address the current situation:
1) Within the short-term collection of infectious waste temporarily for the period of an emergency situation, defined by the number of more than 2,000 hospitalized patients in hospitals, to extend the time set for incineration of waste to 30 days. (The current limit of 72 hours is already beyond the capabilities of the built infrastructure in the Czech Republic and can no longer be practically achieved).
2) Allow infectious waste to be stored on incinerator premises in bulk containers and secure areas not primarily designated for infectious waste for 30 days according to approved operating rules.
3) For long-term collection of infectious wastes in conditioned spaces, temporarily not require the time specified for incineration, i.e., 30 days, and extend to 90 days (extending to 60 days is no longer sufficient).
As a last resort, if even the above measures are not sufficient and the situation continues to escalate in the coming months, we would suggest using the capacity of waste-to-energy facilities (WTEFs) that are not primarily intended for the disposal of infectious waste, subject to prior approval by the Ministry of the Environment.
Let me reiterate that we will do everything possible to ensure that infectious waste continues to be disposed of safely and without any impact on health and the environment.
In case of any questions and clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards and best wishes for good health
RNDr. Miloš Kužvart
Czech Association of Circular Economy, z.s.
Executive Director
