In humanitarian field hospitals, managing medical waste is often treated as an isolated technical task. Yet it directly impacts patient and staff safety, environmental health, and the ethical imperative of humanitarian aid to “Do No Harm”. In response, the WORM project has developed a strategic approach through a dedicated policy brief on Medical Waste Management Guidelines. The guidelines advocate for an Integral Waste Management approach that aligns waste reduction, risk mitigation, and environmental stewardship with core humanitarian principles. They also call for transforming waste management into an integrated, shared responsibility within emergency medical deployments, from procurement and logistics to clinical care and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene).
Reframing waste management as a strategic responsability
Field hospitals generate large volumes of waste, including hazardous materials, in often chaotic, resource-scarce environments. The WORM policy brief outlines a clear, structured response through a three-phase model:
- Planning: Estimate waste streams, assess local infrastructure, and design risk-based management plans.
- Preparation: Install dedicated waste zones and tools, train staff, and build routines into operations.
- Execution: Manage daily waste cycles with monitoring, adaptation to field conditions, and an exit strategy for safe closure.
Final recommendations
To turn waste management into a functioning system that supports life-saving missions, the policy brief highlights four key recommendations:
- Supporting field teams requires more than written guidelines, it demands coordinated guidance, reliable resources, and a clear recognition that waste management is essential to quality care.
- Effective waste management requires the active involvement of all staff, with clear roles, practical training, and routine integration across all functions.
- Procurement is the root of many waste issues, so it is vital to prioritise sustainable sourcing and choose reusable, non-toxic products in order to minimise waste.
- Field teams need stronger international backing through dedicated support units that can provide guidance, training, and mobile waste solutions during emergencies.
To learn more about the practical tools available and the full set of recommendations, read the full deliverable here!