Coronavirus Resources

Here are resources SWANA has gathered to support solid waste workers, employers and customers during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

State-by-State List of US Vaccine Plans

How will each state roll out its plan for vaccine distribution and administration?

View full list here

Government of Canada Vaccine Information

Canada’s vaccine plan, rollout, and other information.

View page SWANA’s Letter to Health Agencies

US Government COVID-19 Guidance

Resources to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19.

Go to COVID.gov

Vaccine Resource Center For Employers

Resources to aid employers with the COVID-19 vaccine that can also be used during flu season. Includes insights and model policies.

View Resource Center

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers

This toolkit will help your organization educate employees about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address questions and concerns.

View CDC Toolkit

COVID-19: Are we safe from our own trash?

A review of the risk of garbage belonging to people infected with SARS-CoV-2 as a potential source of community spread and a threat to sanitation workers.

Read the Morton Barlaz and Francis De Los Reyes Op-ed

Workplace COVID-19 Resources

Updated August 2, 2021

A list of general COVID-19 resources grouped by U.S. federal agency, a section with resources on reopening workplaces, and additional industry-specific COVID-19 resources grouped by industry.

Download Resources document

Guide to Public to Protect Solid Waste Workers

The public can help protect the health of the men and women in the solid waste industry during this vital time by following the tips available in this guide.

Download SWANA’s guide

ISWA Recommendations

Waste Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The International Solid Waste Association considers three overall priorities for waste management during the period of the pandemic of COVID-19:

Ensure the continuity of the services
Adjusting recycling services
Ensure safe collection, disposal and treatment of healthcare waste

View ISWA’s recommendations

See additional ISWA COVID-19 resources »

Download COVID 19 Documents for Essential Waste and Recycling Workers

Download documents to demonstrate proof to law enforcement personnel that you work in an essential industry.

Template letter that can be provided to demonstrate a worker’s exemption
Memo for employers instructing them on use of the letter
Placard for display in worker vehicles

Download these documents for essential waste and recycling workers

News on COVID-19

SWANA Provides National Perspective to Baltimore City Council on Collection Delays

January 13, 2022

Letter submitted for hearing to address collection delays due to COVID surge

SWANA Concerned About Impact of Omicron on Waste Collection

December 22, 2021

Spike in new cases and increased waste due to holidays is a bad combination

CK International balers are now available in North America

Join SWANA »

Thank You Sanitation and Recycling Workers!

Show your appreciation for Sanitation and Recycling Workers! Download this Thank You flyer and post it in sight of your community's solid waste workers.

Download Thank-You Flyer

Guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Helping the solid waste industry cope with evolving health and safety risks.

View SWANA’s Guidance on COVID-19

Continue the Discussion

Contribute your resources to combatting COVID-19 on MySWANA.

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SWANA in the News

As federal vaccine mandate stalls, challenging January continues for waste services – Jan 26, 2022, Waste Dive
Trash piles up as virus hits workers – Jan 21, 2022, China Daily
Garbage and recyclables pile up as omicron takes its toll – Jan 14, 2022, Associated Press (AP)
Garbage collection slows in many cities as COVID-19 hampers staffing – Jan 13, 2022, MPR Marketplace
Omicron devastates services, schools, travel as workers are sick or in quarantine – Jan 10, 2022, CNN
Your trash hasn’t been picked up yet? COVID-19 is delaying service in South Florida – Jan 5, 2022, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Could COVID-19, staffing problems mean holiday trash collection delays? – Dec 29, 2021, Deseret News
SWANA concerned about impact of Omicron on waste collection – Dec 22, 2021, Recycling Product News

COVID-19 Links

Tonnes of COVID-19 health care waste expose urgent need to improve waste management systems — World Health Organization
COVID-19 Workplace Posters & Guidance Booklets - U.S. OSHA
COVID-19 Resources – Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials
SAFER: Safe Actions for Employee Returns - National Safety Council
Pandemic (COVID-19) Tip Sheets – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Resources - Public Health Agency of Canada
Recycling & COVID-19 – The Recycling Partnership
Gloved Hands May Spread Germs – Association for Professionals In Infection Control and Epidemiology
Survey shows widespread industry impact of COVID-19 - Waste Today
COVID-19 Resource Page - California Resource Recovery Association
Guidance for Employers: COVID-19 and the Workplace - National Safety Council
The Safety Professional’s Role in Planning for a Pandemic - American Society of Safety Professionals
Coronavirus Impacts on the Recycling Industry - Resource Recycling
Locate Distilleries Making Hand Sanitizer to Fight COVID-19 - Distilled Spirits Council
This is what it’s like to be a sanitation worker during the coronavirus outbreak - Washington Post
Coronavirus Resource Center - Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
COVID-19 News Related to the Industry — WASTE360
'How coronavirus is disrupting US waste and recycling' - Waste Dive
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce - 3/19/20