COVID-19: An Accelerator for Global Plastic Consumption and Its Implications.

Plastic has been ingrained in our society. Repercussions on the usage of nonbiodegradable plastics and their problems have been recently realized. Despite its detrimental environmental impact, the COVID-19 epidemic has compelled worldwide citizens to increase their plastic use due to affordability and availability. The volume of hospital solid waste, particularly plastics, is overgrowing due to an unexpected increase in medical waste, culminating in the global waste management catastrophe. Henceforth, adopting good waste management practices along with appropriate technologies and viewing the current issue from a fresh perspective would be an opportunity in this current scenario. Accordingly, this review study will focus on the plastic waste scenario before and during the COVID-19 epidemic. This review also disseminates alternative disposal options and recommends practical solutions to lessen human reliance on traditional plastics. Further, the responsibilities of various legislative and regulatory authorities at the local, regional, and worldwide levels are addressed.

Assessing Hygienic Status, Sanitation Issues, and Associated Problems in Dambi Dollo Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.

The pollutants discharged untreated into water bodies become a challenge in Ethiopia. This study aims to assess sanitation and hygiene status and the associated problems. A total of 500 households were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Questionnaires, interviews, and site observation were employed. The absence of public and communal latrines had been seen as the constraint. The present study confirmed that waste disposal management has serious problems. In conclusion, these findings revealed that part of the households are living in communities with the town-owned poor sanitary facilities and that further studies are encouraged on waste disposal management.