Due to unavailability of single framework as prescribed by international authorities, various sustainable steps taken by individual countries to curb the pandemic menace can be useful in the present context. The findings revealed that the guidelines issued by WHO for waste management of corona virus infected waste were followed by these nations and certain additional preventive steps were taken. The listed case studies were selected due to some unique steps undertaken for solid waste disposal during pandemic. The aim of this paper is to study and list the best available waste management policies adopted by some developing, developed and underdeveloped economies. The routine waste management strategies followed by various countries are overturned due extremely altered trends in the amount and type of waste generated by households and medical facilities. Not only underdeveloped and developing economies are struggling with the challenges posed by mounting piles of infectious waste but even developed countries are adversely affected in similar manner. The change in habits and lifestyle of citizens during health crisis like COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented increase in the struggles for solid waste management across the globe. The author believes that the COVID‐19 crisis could be an opportunity to accelerate smart city initiatives in Japan. Besides, remote control of waste incineration facilities and robotic arms in waste treatment and recycling facilities will take on more importance.
The multi‐benefits mobility system that supports self‐driving will contribute to the automatic garbage collection by linking it to smart garbage bins.
The work chain management system contributes to the promotion of cashless in addition to the traceability of waste. Specifically, the author states that virtual reality can be an effective solution for remote education. Then, smart approaches to waste management for post‐COVID‐19 smart cities in Japan are described by illustrating the results of the author's research group. This study discusses the topics before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan. The author is rapidly going online and trying to make the transition to a new way of life. The COVID‐19 crisis has had a great impact on Japanese society.