**10.3 Lack of legal framework and absence of waste management and disposal systems**

Many countries either do not have proper regulations, have very nominal regulations, or do not enforce them strictly. Research indicates that having adequate legal framework results positively in the development of a waste management system [58] while the dearth of adequate policies [59] and not so strong regulations [60, 61] are disadvantageous to it. Lack of pollution and environmental control systems and systems for evaluation of the real impacts of pollution is a major concern, especially

in middle and lower middle-income countries. The developed countries have strong legislative frameworks and control systems which is lacking in developing and underdeveloped countries. In these countries/societies, the condition is relatively better in urban areas but practically missing in remote village areas [62]. Thus, there is no system of waste management and disposal and most of the waste including HCW remains dumped anywhere without treatment. If we consider a ban on disposable plastics it is somewhat functional in urban areas but completely nonexistent in rural areas where nonbiodegradable plastic enters but is never returned. The HCW is also treated as general waste most of the time and disposed off without due care and precautions.
