Ensuring health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic

Published on: 
27 May 2020
Author: 
Celeste McMickle

Here at TRUE we are all too aware of the impact that resource management has on the health and safety of our communities and environment. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has challenged many of the systems and processes keeping materials properly handled and sorted. Certain waste management infrastructures are temporarily unavailable, and additional waste streams have been created as safety protocols have increased globally. 
 
Janitorial staff and waste management workers are some of the unsung all-stars of this pandemic. In addition to celebrating the essential workers in our communities, we also need to find ways to support them such that their jobs do not pose unnecessary risk to their health and that of their families. Some great tips can be found here
 
Earlier this month USGBC announced its global economic recovery strategy, which outlined a series of actions and priorities that will support and leverage the power of our community to shape a healthier future for all.   
 
In order to support facilities seeking to promote health and reduce risk in the transition back into a more regular day-to-day, TRUE will also prioritize a number of efforts aligned with these goals including the development of Safety First TRUE credit(s) focused on promoting the health and safety of waste management workers.  
 
Have ideas and insights? We would love to hear from you. Let us know what is important in your community during this time by emailing us at [email protected].
 
If you have questions on how to navigate certification amongst these unexpected circumstances, GBCI has created guidelines for some of the most frequently asked customer questions.