Coronavirus Resources

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

ISWA’s 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 »

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 guide

Emergency, Stay-at-Home, and Non-Essential Business Closure Orders for COVID-19

Links to emergency orders and other information affecting the public and employers in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

View All Closure Orders

News on COVID-19

Free Face Coverings for Solid Waste and Recycling Industry

June 25, 2020

SWANA Collecting Orders for Fulfillment by FEMA, HHS

Maryland Governor Extends Appreciation to SWANA and Industry

June 03, 2020

Governor Larry Hogan Thanks Solid Waste Industry in Letter to SWANA

SWANA Calls on Congress to Support Local Governments

May 20, 2020

Direct Relief Needed for Cities, Town, and Villages in Response to COVID-19

Sanitation Workers Support Fund Press Release

SWANA and Glad Partner to Address COVID-19 Among Solid Waste and Recycling Workers

April 27, 2020

Sanitation Workers Support Fund will provide financial assistance to eligible front-line collection workers

Celebrating Earth Day Responsibly During COVID-19

April 22, 2020

SWANA encourages everyone to celebrate Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary. Founded in 1970 as a day of education about environmental issues, Earth Day remains an important reminder about our responsibility for the environment.

SWANA Calls to Help Protect Waste and Recycling Workers

April 13, 2020

Downloadable document available for public

SWANA Urges Americans to Dispose of Gloves and Masks Properly

April 07, 2020

Substantial increase in litter of gloves and masks due to COVID-19

Media Advisory: Waste & Recycling During COVID-19 Pandemic

April 02, 2020

SWANA Available to Discuss Waste & Recycling Issues, Tips for Public

SWANA Asks FEMA to Reimburse Municipal and Private Solid Waste Service Providers for Unpaid Services During COVID-19 Pandemic

March 31, 2020

SWANA letter broadens request for FEMA funding and reinforces essential work of solid waste and recycling industry

SWANA issues important documents for all essential industry workers

March 23, 2020

Letter and vehicle placard can be used by employees and contractors going to and from work

SWANA reminds all state and local governments that solid waste management is an essential public service

March 19, 2020

Urges inclusion in emergency orders being issued in response to Coronavirus pandemic

SWANA in the News

The coronavirus has given us a new kind of plastic waste. Where does it go? – Jun 17, 2020, Tampa Bay Times
Senate hearing revives federal recycling discussion with little consensus – Jun 17, 2020, Waste Dive
Face Masks And Latex Gloves Have Become A New Environmental Problem – Jun 9, 2020, IFLScience
COVID-19 pandemic: Association asks public to help keep sanitation workers safe – May 28, 2020, Safety+Health
Sheltering at home has produced loads more residential trash – May 22, 2020, Indianapolis Business Journal
Plastic bags were finally being banned. Then came the pandemic. – May 20, 2020, Vox Media
Supporting Frontline Waste and Recycling Workers Impacted by COVID-19: A Q&A with SWANA’s David Biderman – May 5, 2020, Waste 360
Personal protective equipment rally sanitation workers, janitors – May 4, 2020, Peninsula Press
Editor's Blog: Lost Revenue – Apr 30, 2020, MSW Management
SWANA and Glad partner on fund for solid waste and recycling workers affected by COVID-19 – Apr 28, 2020, Recycling Product News
South Bend, Mishawaka find ways to keep up with trash – Apr 28, 2020, South Bend Tribune
Discarded masks, gloves that litter Lee County will eventually become marine debris – Apr 20, 2020, ABC7
Pandemics were not part of most contingency plans, but waste and recycling industry proving resilient – Apr 17, 2020, Waste Dive
Industry groups push for inclusion of recycling infrastructure in next federal coronavirus aid package – Apr 17, 2020, Waste Dive
'The unsung heroes of the coronavirus pandemic' | Sanitation workers across the DMV are picking up more residential trash than ever – Apr 11, 2020, WUSA9
$2T coronavirus stimulus package expected to directly help small haulers and frontline workers – Apr 10, 2020, Waste Dive
'It's just a nightmare.' Trash collectors overwhelmed by rising amount of household waste – Apr 9, 2020, CNN Business
Masks and gloves are used to help stop the spread of coronavirus. The way they’re disposed of are putting people, animals at risk. – Apr 9, 2020, Washington Post
SWANA, KAB Urge Proper Disposal of Gloves, Masks – Apr 8, 2020, Waste360
Protecting Sanitation Workers During the Coronavirus Pandemic – Apr 7, 2020, Cheddar

COVID-19 Links

SAFER: Safe Actions for Employee Returns - National Safety Council
FEMA’s COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season
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

COVID-19 Webinars

Recorded Webinars

Financial Impact of COVID-19 on the Solid Waste Industry

Member Price: $49.00

Non-Member Price: $79.00

Update on the Coronavirus & Solid Waste Industry

Member Price: $0.00

Non-Member Price: $49.00

Western Trailers: lightweight, high-strength trailers

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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 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

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

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