8.2 How suitable is sludge burial in emergency settings?

In emergencies, where rapid and immediate action is required for waste management, sludge burial might be considered a short-term strategy to prevent immediate health hazards. Sludge burial is a quick and practical option to manage large volumes of waste, including sludge, without other viable alternatives. However, it can only serve the acute response phase if land is available away from human contact and waterbodies.

Environmental and health regulations need to be kept in mind to ensure minimal adverse impacts on the environment and public health. It should be considered a short-term, interim solution with efforts to transition to more sustainable management practices as soon as logistical and organisational challenges are resolved.