Waste management
Medical waste is proven by research to produce both direct and indirect impacts such as gastrointestinal and respiratory cancer, worsen vital capacity, congenital malformations, psychological distress, eco-anxiety, and damage to buildings and also the ecosystem. Literature showed that pursuing zero medical waste will have beneficial impacts including more than 580 jobs created and saving up to 10 million pound sterling.
Cost-benefit analysis justified that a circular economy saves £150 million by reusing medical devices and saves billions of pound sterling of healthcare expenditure for premature death and illness by reducing air pollution. However, zero medical waste will be beneficial if the zero waste hierarchy is applied: Starting from preventing, reducing, reusing, and disposal (incinerator) becomes the last choice due to its high cost.
Overview
Recycling & Reusing Impact
Climate change is a major public health concern in the 21st century, with the health sector contributing to 3-10% of greenhouse gas emissions in Western countries.
The sector is also responsible for releasing pollutants that have significant effects on human health. Surgical procedures, particularly resource-intensive ones, can have considerable environmental impacts. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a useful tool for evaluating these impacts and promoting sustainability in healthcare.
The use of single-use medical supplies is increasing despite higher costs compared to reusable alternatives. These studies below show the effect single-use versus reusable supplies on the environment and waste control.
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The circular economy saves £150 million by hospitals in Europe reselling used medical devices (European Comission, 2017)
The use of modern incinerators costs £46,000 to separate the collection, recycle, and compost 10,000 tons of waste. Another process which is burning is needed and it adds extra costs of £110,000 and generates an extra 573,000KWh (What a Waste 2.0; Lazard. (2020)
Based on cost-benefit analysis, zero medical waste will be beneficial if prevention, reuse, recycling, and remanufactured are being done instead of disposal management even using the modern incinerators.
Assessments
Cost benefit analysis
Health impact
Mental Health
​Climate Effects
& Employment
