Researchers selected Tehran, Iran to study how solid waste pollution changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic: 
- Tehran produced 1000–1200 kg/capita/day solid waste, the highest rate in all of Iran
- Total solid waste produced per day was estimated to be over 7500 tons 
- About 4900 tons of waste per day were disposed of in a landfill 
- About 200 tons of waste per day were incinerated 
- Around 3500 tons of waste per day were composted 


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Solid waste refers to any type of discarded garbage, excluding wastes such as sewage, irrigation flow, certain hazardous materials, etc. Solid waste pollution is common in urban areas and is dangerous to human health. 
- Solid waste pollution may cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, jaundice, salmonellosis, etc. 
- The storing of solid waste in landfills and burning of solid waste leads to secondary pollutant problems, including the release of toxins into the air and water (greatly impacts nearby neighborhoods)
- Improper solid waste management has been linked to the development of cancer, respiratory diseases, and even nervous system damage

Solid Waste Pollution (Pre-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

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak: 
- ~200 L of solid waste was produced daily by commercial and service sectors
- Multiple cities with populations over a million had only ~1% effectively recovered materials
- São Paulo produced more solid waste than any other city 
- Due to past educational campaigns in São Paulo, domiciliary solid waste collection was found to be stable, with increasing recyclable collection, increased voluntary recycling, and decreased solid waste on the streets 

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

A comprehensive report examining how worldwide plastic pollution changed during the pandemic noted the following facts about plastic pollution prior to the COVID-19 outbreak: 
- In 2010, as much as 12.7 million metric tons of plastic entered marine environments, with as much as 2.4 million delivered by rivers
- An estimated 5 trillion plastic debris are floating in the world's oceans 
- An estimated 7 trillion plastic debris will enter San Francisco Bay each year 

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