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Environmental Performance of Alternative Hospital Waste Management Strategies Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Muhammad Hammad Mushtaq

    (Centre for Energy Research & Development (CERAD), University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore 39020, Pakistan)

  • Fahad Noor

    (Centre for Energy Research & Development (CERAD), University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore 39020, Pakistan
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Campus, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 39020, Pakistan)

  • M. A. Mujtaba

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Campus, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 39020, Pakistan)

  • Salman Asghar

    (Department of Product and Industrial Design (PID), University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore 54890, Pakistan)

  • Abdulfatah Abdu Yusuf

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Liberia, Monrovia 1000, Liberia)

  • Manzoore Elahi M. Soudagar

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Technology, Glocal University, Delhi-Yamunotri Marg, SH-57, Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur 247121, India)

  • Abrar Hussain

    (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, 12616 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Mohamed Fathy Badran

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Future University in Egypt, New Cairo 11845, Egypt)

  • Kiran Shahapurkar

    (School of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama 1888, Ethiopia)

Abstract

The growing population in urban areas generates large volumes of hospital waste which intensifies the problem of hospital waste management in developing countries. This study is designed to evaluate environmental impacts associated with hospital waste management scenarios using life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Two scenarios were designed to describe the current practices: (scenario A) and an integrated approach (scenario B), which includes segregation and recycling of hospital waste. Data were collected from five public hospitals located in the district of Sheikhupura, Pakistan. The collected hospital waste was quantified and categorized on a daily basis for five consecutive months (October 2020 to February 2021). The functional unit was defined as one tonne of hospital waste. System boundaries for two scenarios include segregation, transportation, treatment and disposal of hospital waste. After defining functional unit and system boundaries, LCA was conducted using the IGES-GHG simulator. The scenarios were evaluated using common parameter, i.e., greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Scenario A and scenario B resulted in net GHG emissions of 1078.40 kg CO 2 -eq. per tonne of waste and 989.31 kg CO 2 -eq. per tonne of waste, respectively. Applying an integrated approach, it would be possible to mitigate GHG emissions of 37,756.44 kg CO 2 -eq. per tonne of waste annually and to recover some materials such as glass, paper, plastic and metals. Therefore, implementing an integrated approach for the management of hospital waste will progress the entire system towards sustainability. The findings of this study can be used for future research and policymaking.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Hammad Mushtaq & Fahad Noor & M. A. Mujtaba & Salman Asghar & Abdulfatah Abdu Yusuf & Manzoore Elahi M. Soudagar & Abrar Hussain & Mohamed Fathy Badran & Kiran Shahapurkar, 2022. "Environmental Performance of Alternative Hospital Waste Management Strategies Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:14942-:d:970142
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Minas Minoglou & Spyridoula Gerassimidou & Dimitrios Komilis, 2017. "Healthcare Waste Generation Worldwide and Its Dependence on Socio-Economic and Environmental Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Chilton, Tom & Burnley, Stephen & Nesaratnam, Suresh, 2010. "A life cycle assessment of the closed-loop recycling and thermal recovery of post-consumer PET," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(12), pages 1241-1249.
    4. Komly, Claude-Emma & Azzaro-Pantel, Catherine & Hubert, Antoine & Pibouleau, Luc & Archambault, Valérie, 2012. "Multiobjective waste management optimization strategy coupling life cycle assessment and genetic algorithms: Application to PET bottles," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 66-81.
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