Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organisation warns that poorly managed solid waste is fuelling a growing global public health crisis, exposing millions to preventable diseases and environmental harm.
The warning accompanies a new WHO report, Throwing Away Our Health, released on Tuesday. The report finds that rapid growth in municipal solid waste, combined with weak waste management systems, is contaminating air, water and food systems worldwide.
Uncontrolled dumping, open burning and inadequate treatment release toxic chemicals, pollute drinking water and create breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and rodents. Communities living near dumpsites, informal waste workers, children and pregnant women face the highest risks. “If we continue to treat waste as an afterthought, we will lock in avoidable disease, climate pollution and deep social inequities,” says Dr Ruediger Krech, WHO’s Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health.
WHO highlights that a significant share of global waste remains uncollected or improperly disposed of undermining climate resilience and efforts to build healthy cities. The report also underscores the close link between waste management and water, sanitation and hygiene systems.
However, the organisation notes that better waste management can transform waste into a resource through recycling, energy generation and green job creation. WHO urges governments to prioritise waste prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling, while ending open dumping and burning.
“Health ministries can start now,” says Bruce Gordon, Head of WHO’s Water, Sanitation and Health Unit. “Safe health-care waste management and stronger protections for waste workers save lives today and build healthier cities for the future.”
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