The People's Republic of China identified that cement kilns could support the safe disposal of infectious COVID-19 medical waste, and approached the Huaxin Cement company to assist the government in its response.

Cement kilns have a long history of co-processing alternative and hazardous fuels. WHO provides detailed guidelines on the safe use of cement kilns for the disposal of medical waste from a human health perspective.

Cement kilns have a long history of co-processing alternative and hazardous fuels. The UN Environment Programme provide detailed guidelines on the safe use of cement kilns for the disposal of medical waste from an environmental perspective.

Medical waste from hospitals that are fighting the COVID-19 epidemic in the People's Republic of China's Hubei Province has been burned in cement kilns as part of the efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

These guidelines provide information for the proper treatment of wastes from healthcare establishments (public and private).

This brief provides governments with essential information to support their efforts to manage an increase in infectious medical waste due to the COVID-19 pandemic.