COVID-19 Protection Gear Worth Over Two Million Euros Has Expired in Hamburg
Over two million euros worth of protective equipment intended for the coronavirus pandemic has expired in Hamburg, Germany, according to a Senate response to a minor question from the CDU parliamentary group. This information was obtained by Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
Richard Seelmaecker, the CDU parliamentary group's legal expert, stated that equipment such as masks, gloves, and protective suits worth a total of 2,043,354.90 euros have expired and must be destroyed. The Senate's response clarifies that this tally pertains solely to the total value of expired protective gear in the Social Welfare Department, the Interior Department, and the State Transport Authority.
The Senate initiated a central warehouse for personal protective equipment at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, storing supplies procured by the federal government and the city, which were then distributed to Hamburg's authorities and departments. According to the Senate, materials in storage that have since expired include more than two million gloves, hundreds of thousands of masks, and tens of thousands of gowns and protective suits.
Explaining the necessity for disposal, the Senate noted that "Protective equipment that has reached or exceeded its expiry date is no longer marketable under current law." However, the Senate is yet to ascertain the costs that will be incurred for the destruction of the expired items. Seelmaecker, the CDU parliamentary group's legal expert, criticized this, as costs of approximately 2,500 euros have already been incurred, with further costs yet to be calculated.
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The exact cost of disposing of expired COVID-19 protective equipment is not provided in the search results. However, hazardous waste disposal fees can vary based on factors such as the type of waste, regulatory compliance, volume and weight, and special handling requirements.
Infectious waste disposal – which includes some types of COVID-19 protective equipment – could potentially incur higher fees due to the risk it poses. Adding to the cost, disposal must adhere to local and national regulations, potentially necessitating specialized facilities or procedures.
Citations
- Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet.
