Researchers studying Tehran, Iran found solid waste pollution may have worsened as a result of the pandemic. 
- Legal separation of solid wastes for recycling completely stopped, although illegal separation continued 
- Solid wastes are no longer being incinerated or composted. All solid wastes (~7500 tons a day) are going directly to the landfill without being separated or treated 

Kenyon College

The management of solid waste, which encompasses most types of discarded garbage, is a foremost environmental concern. Proper management of solid waste includes: 
- Collection of waste from urban areas once a week or more 
- Disposing only of waste that cannot otherwise be recycled
- Sufficient plans for gathering and storing waste 
- Relaying waste to facilities that will properly dispose of the waste in a landfill or burn the waste so it does not accumulate elsewhere 
- Handling of waste in such a way that public health is not jeopardized and no water or air pollution results   

Solid Waste Pollution (Post-COVID-19)

Daryabeigi Zand, A., &  Vaezi Heir, A. (2020). Emerging Challenges in Urban Waste Management in Tehran, Iran during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105051 



Emerging Challenges in Urban Waste Management in Tehran, Iran during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Researchers studying solid waste pollution in Brazil found variable conditions in 30 cities as a result of COVID-19. 
- During lockdown, total solid waste production decreased, the largest decrease being 22% in Belo Horizonte 
- Due to decreased recycling programs, 24,076 MWh of power were lost, 185,929 m3 of potable water was lost, and 19,000 m3 of landfill space was lost to accommodate recyclable waste
- In São Paulo, during lockdown, the lowest amount of domiciliary solid waste was collected in comparison to the previous 11 years and voluntary recycling decreased, though the amount of solid waste on the streets decreased to the lowest value recorded in 11 years 

Solid Waste Pollution: Brazil (Post-COVID-19)

According to a comprehensive report examining worldwide plastic pollution: 
- Plastic pollution has increased due to discarding of PPE and increased demand and use of single-use plastics 
- Single-use plastics will likely come to contribute to the majority of marine pollution 
- Masks will likely degrade into microplastic pieces and pollute both waterways and soil 
- Increased plastic pollution will likely clog sewage systems 
- Plastics may provide a surface for pathogens to grow on 
- This report recommends the increased use of reusable masks, as well the development of new methods to avoid single-use plastics. Additionally, waste management and recycling programs overall should be improved and consumers should be taught more ways to consciously use plastics

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