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Toward Sustainable Environmental Management of Healthcare Waste: A Holistic Perspective

Author

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  • Nouf Sahal Alharbi

    (Department of Health Administration, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, KSA, ZIP 4545, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Jawaher Haji Alhaji

    (Department of Health Sciences, College of Applied Studies and Community Service, King Saud University, KSA, ZIP 4545, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Malak Yahia Qattan

    (Department of Health Sciences, College of Applied Studies and Community Service, King Saud University, KSA, ZIP 4545, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

The management of healthcare waste requires a sustained and holistic approach involving a range of parties. This is challenging for governments, especially in developing countries, where waste management systems have limited capacities for addressing the issue. Using Saudi Arabia as a case study, this paper followed a multi-method approach, including policy analysis, observation, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group, to explore the country’s healthcare waste management system. The study estimated that Saudi government hospitals across the country, every year, throw away in landfills paper (27,000 tons), plastic (15,000 tons), food (10,000 tons), glass (8000 tons), and metal (7000 tons). Regrettably, all these tons of materials end up in landfills without any form of recycling. A number of challenges were identified, reflecting mainly the lack of a legal framework, waste training, coordination among stakeholders, and social responsibility. This study generated new knowledge about waste management systems by exploring how their performance is shaped by the processes occurring at the policy, organization, and individual levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Nouf Sahal Alharbi & Jawaher Haji Alhaji & Malak Yahia Qattan, 2021. "Toward Sustainable Environmental Management of Healthcare Waste: A Holistic Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5280-:d:550913
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elina Dace & Agnis Stibe & Lelde Timma, 2020. "A holistic approach to manage environmental quality by using the Kano model and social cognitive theory," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(2), pages 430-443, March.
    2. Christin Seifert & Edeltraud Guenther, 2019. "Prevention is better than cure—Environmental management measures in hospitals," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(4), pages 781-790, July.
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    4. Luis Miguel Fonseca & José Pedro Domingues & Alina Mihaela Dima, 2020. "Mapping the Sustainable Development Goals Relationships," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Nouf Sahal Alharbi & Malak Yahia Qattan & Jawaher Haji Alhaji, 2020. "Towards Sustainable Food Services in Hospitals: Expanding the Concept of ‘Plate Waste’ to ‘Tray Waste’," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-8, August.
    6. Luis Miguel Fonseca & José Pedro Domingues & Maria Teresa Pereira & Florinda Figueiredo Martins & Dominik Zimon, 2018. "Assessment of Circular Economy within Portuguese Organizations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-24, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Thobile Zikhathile & Harrison Atagana & Joseph Bwapwa & David Sawtell, 2022. "A Review of the Impact That Healthcare Risk Waste Treatment Technologies Have on the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Shilong Wei & Muhammad Safdar Sial & Wenxia Zhou & Alina Badulescu & Daniel Badulescu, 2021. "Improving the Environmental Footprint through Employees: A Case of Female Leaders from the Perspective of CSR," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-23, December.

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