The HCSP auditioned the National Federation of Pollution Control and Environmental Activities (Fnade) which notes that “since April 2020, the volume of Dasri collected, in connection with the number of personal protective equipment, and not the mass , has undergone an increase of around 10% on average compared to a usual period (reference 1st quarter 2019), with a very uneven situation from one region to another and over time (up to 40 to 50% more volume over a reduced period and in certain regions) “.
These volumes were able to be absorbed by changing the amplitude of the treatment of Dasri in the treatment units, underlines the High Council.
The tensions envisaged do not relate to the collection itself but to the treatment of the Dasri. They are mainly due to technical shutdowns, scheduled or not, for maintenance operations of household waste incineration plants (UIOM) authorized to receive Dasri. However, these stops were “more numerous from spring because at the end of the heating period”.
There is therefore a currently very tense treatment situation in certain regions. According to the Directorate General for Health (DGS) and the Directorate General for Risk Prevention (DGPR), “the situation is difficult in Ile-de-France, in Hauts-de-France and to a lesser extent in Grand Est “. The saturation of the factories in Ile-de-France is partly due to the work carried out on the Créteil factory, which reduces the processing capacity by 20% (ie around sixty tonnes per week). Technical shutdowns were scheduled at the Douchy-les-Mines plant in the North and breakdowns were reported at the Blois plant.
Load shedding is organized from region to region, in particular to the Loire and Normandy regions. Some incineration plants agree to treat the Dasri during all or part of the weekend, “which requires the establishment of a specific organization for the staff and limits the possibilities of maintenance of the Dasri treatment lines”.
Recommendations of the HCSP
–
In this context, the High Council recommends in particular to:
- Continue to develop all the possible options (increase in the operating range of incinerators, load shedding to other less saturated facilities, pretreatment by disinfection) to maintain a secure network for the collection and treatment of Dasri despite their influx linked to the Covid-19 epidemic.
- Consider, as a final solution and on a case-by-case basis, an exception, exceptional and temporary, to the decree of September 20, 2002 imposing the direct introduction of Dasri into the oven, without human manipulation. It would be issued by the prefect, after advice from the regional health agency (ARS), and would give the possibility of passing certain Dasri in the household waste pits of the incinerators, according to a rigorous procedure, defined in advance, after Risk Assessment.
- Remind health and medico-social establishments of the possibility, in “non-Covid-19” sectors, of eliminating waste from non-perforating healthcare activities as waste similar to household waste, except in the event of an infectious risk (equipment personal protection for caregivers, patients and cleaning staff, protections for incontinent adults, single-use linen) according to the recommendations of the opinion of the HCSP of 12 November 2020 which remains valid.
–
In this opinion of November 12, the High Council established the modalities of management of the Dasri.
- For structures with a non-perforating Dasri die: in Covid-19 sectors, to eliminate non-perforating DAS by this channel and for non-Covid-19 sectors, give the possibility, except in the event of an infectious disease, to eliminate them as waste similar to household waste (DAOM ).
- For structures that do not have a non-perforating Dasri die: quickly set up this process and make it possible to eliminate non-penetrating SARs through household waste while respecting the following conditions: double bagging, storage for 24 hours at room temperature.
- For other places of care (liberal exercise, dedicated Covid-19 consultations, homes, accommodation) that do not have a non-perforating Dasri sector: give the possibility of eliminating non-perforating DAS through household waste, under the aforementioned conditions.
–
HCSP, “Covid-19: management of waste from healthcare activities”
gdl / nc
– .
