A new World Health Organization (WHO) report is sounding the alarm over the growing dangers of poorly managed solid waste, warning that unsafe disposal practices are putting millions of people at risk and accelerating environmental damage.
The report, Throwing Away Our Health, highlights how rapidly increasing volumes of municipal waste—combined with weak waste‑management systems in many countries—are creating a public health emergency. According to WHO experts, uncollected or improperly handled waste contaminates air, water, soil and food, exposing communities to hazardous chemicals and disease‑carrying pests.
WHO officials say the impacts fall heaviest on vulnerable groups, including families living near dumpsites, informal waste workers, children and pregnant women. The report stresses that safe waste management must be treated as a core part of climate‑resilient water, sanitation and hygiene systems.
While the findings are stark, the report also outlines a path forward. WHO urges governments to reduce waste at its source, expand reliable collection services, eliminate open dumping and burning, and strengthen oversight of disposal facilities. It also calls for greater investment in recycling, safe recovery technologies and greener jobs.
The health sector is identified as a key player in driving change, with recommendations to improve handling of medical waste, adopt cleaner technologies and advocate for stronger public‑health protections.
WHO officials say the message is clear: addressing solid waste is essential to protecting both people and the planet, and action taken now will help build healthier, safer cities for the future.
Source: WHO official