IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2024i1p5-d1551169.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Proposed Circular Economy Model for Hospital Bio-Waste Management in Municipal Settings

Author

Listed:
  • Anastasios Sepetis

    (Department of Business Administration, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Georgantas

    (Health and Social Care Management, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Greece)

  • Ioannis Nikolaou

    (Business and Environmental Technology Economics Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, Greece)

Abstract

This paper presents a proposed circular economy (CE) model for hospital bio-waste management, using Athens as a case study to demonstrate its applicability in urban environments. The model incorporates waste segregation at the source, resource recovery methods such as composting and anaerobic digestion, and data-driven tools to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare waste management. The study investigates the transition from linear to CE practices, focusing on structured collection strategies, collaborative efforts between hospitals and municipal authorities, and continuous tracking of waste flows. A comprehensive analysis of bio-waste volumes from participating hospitals over a three-year period is conducted, utilizing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tools such as TOPSIS to evaluate the system’s effectiveness. The results indicate a significant increase in hospital participation, improved waste separation, and optimized resource recovery, offering a scalable framework for other municipalities seeking to implement CE-based waste management practices in healthcare settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Anastasios Sepetis & Konstantinos Georgantas & Ioannis Nikolaou, 2024. "A Proposed Circular Economy Model for Hospital Bio-Waste Management in Municipal Settings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2024:i:1:p:5-:d:1551169
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/5/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/5/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Carlotta D’Alessandro & Katarzyna Szopik-Depczyńska & Małgorzata Tarczyńska-Łuniewska & Cecilia Silvestri & Giuseppe Ioppolo, 2024. "Exploring Circular Economy Practices in the Healthcare Sector: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, January.
    2. D’Adamo, Idiano & Falcone, Pasquale Marcello & Huisingh, Donald & Morone, Piergiuseppe, 2021. "A circular economy model based on biomethane: What are the opportunities for the municipality of Rome and beyond?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1660-1672.
    3. Stefano Marasca & Lucia Montanini & Alessia D'Andrea & Eva Cerioni, 2020. "The how and why of integrated reporting in a public health care organization: The stakeholders' perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 1714-1722, May.
    4. Imad Hassan & Ibrahim Alhamrouni & Nurul Hanis Azhan, 2023. "A CRITIC–TOPSIS Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Optimum Site Selection for Solar PV Farm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-26, May.
    5. Anastasios Sepetis & Paraskevi N. Zaza & Fotios Rizos & Pantelis G. Bagos, 2022. "Identifying and Predicting Healthcare Waste Management Costs for an Optimal Sustainable Management System: Evidence from the Greek Public Sector," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-20, August.
    6. Navarro Ferronato & Vincenzo Torretta, 2019. "Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-28, March.
    7. Abrar Mahjoob & Yousef Alfadhli & Vincent Omachonu, 2023. "Healthcare Waste and Sustainability: Implications for a Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-20, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Dimes, Ruth & de Villiers, Charl, 2024. "Hallmarks of Integrated Thinking," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(1).
    2. Tomislav Sunko & Marko Mladineo & Mirjana Kovačić & Toni Mišković, 2024. "Multi-Criteria Analysis of Coast Guard Resource Deployment for Improvement of Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection: Case Study of Eastern Adriatic Sea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Leslier Valenzuela-Fernández & Manuel Escobar-Farfán, 2022. "Zero-Waste Management and Sustainable Consumption: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Mapping Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-24, December.
    4. Alla Mostepaniuk & Turgay Akalin & Mohammad Reza Parish, 2023. "Practices Pursuing the Sustainability of A Healthcare Organization: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    5. Asif Iqbal & Abdullah Yasar & Abdul-Sattar Nizami & Rafia Haider & Faiza Sharif & Imran Ali Sultan & Amtul Bari Tabinda & Aman Anwer Kedwaii & Muhammad Murtaza Chaudhary, 2022. "Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Haulage Modeling Design for Lahore, Pakistan: Transition toward Sustainability and Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-39, December.
    6. Flaviu Moldovan & Liviu Moldovan, 2024. "Sustainable Waste Management in Orthopedic Healthcare Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-13, June.
    7. Giovanni Vinti & Valerie Bauza & Thomas Clasen & Kate Medlicott & Terry Tudor & Christian Zurbrügg & Mentore Vaccari, 2021. "Municipal Solid Waste Management and Adverse Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-26, April.
    8. Yu Duan & Željko Stević & Boris Novarlić & Sarfaraz Hashemkhani Zolfani & Ömer Faruk Görçün & Marko Subotić, 2025. "Application of the Fuzzy MCDM Model for the Selection of a Multifunctional Machine for Sustainable Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-28, March.
    9. Themistoklis D. Kontos & Yiannis G. Zevgolis, 2024. "A Fuzzy Spatial Multiple Criteria Analysis Methodology for Solid Waste Landfill Siting," J, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-27, November.
    10. Padi, Richard Kingsley & Douglas, Sean & Murphy, Fionnuala, 2023. "Techno-economic potentials of integrating decentralised biomethane production systems into existing natural gas grids," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    11. Jatau Ramond Yohanna, 2023. "Effluent Pollution in Custodial Centres and its Environs in Nigeria," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(2), pages 1341-1352, February.
    12. Espinoza Pérez, Lorena & Espinoza Pérez, Andrea & Vásquez, Óscar C., 2024. "Evaluation of mitigation initiatives for simultaneous air pollution and municipal solid waste systems: A System Dynamics Approach," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    13. Anna Konstantinidou & Konstantinos Ioannou & Georgios Tsantopoulos & Garyfallos Arabatzis, 2024. "Citizens’ Attitudes and Practices Towards Waste Reduction, Separation, and Recycling: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-36, November.
    14. Victor Fredrick & Vandu Umaru Lazarus & Ishaku Yahaya & Ibrahim Hyedma Bwala & Ajanson, Samuel Sule & Buhari Isa Uba, 2023. "Impact of Public Solid Waste Disposal Dump Sites: A Threat to Residence of Yelwa Tsakani, Bauchi," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(2), pages 507-522, February.
    15. Takunda Shabani & Steven Jerie & Timothy Vurayayi Mutekwa & Tapiwa Shabani, 2024. "Electronic Waste: 21st Century Scenario in Zimbabwe—A Review," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 1269-1284, June.
    16. Vladimír Frišták & Diana Bošanská & Vladimír Turčan & Martin Pipíška & Christoph Pfeifer & Gerhard Soja, 2022. "Relevance of Pyrolysis Products Derived from Sewage Sludge for Soil Applications," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    17. Anna Mazzi & Michela Sciarrone & Roberto Raga, 2022. "Environmental Performance of Semi-Aerobic Landfill by Means of Life Cycle Assessment Modeling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-17, August.
    18. Yijia Wang & Senwei Huang & Jia Liu, 2023. "Research on the Rural Environmental Governance and Interaction Effects of Farmers under the Perspective of Circular Economy—Evidence from Three Provinces of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-20, September.
    19. Karin Meisterl & Sergio Sastre & Ignasi Puig-Ventosa & Rosaria Chifari & Laura Martínez Sánchez & Laurène Chochois & Gabriella Fiorentino & Amalia Zucaro, 2024. "Circular Bioeconomy in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona: Policy Recommendations to Optimize Biowaste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-22, January.
    20. Sabah Mariyam & Logan Cochrane & Shifa Zuhara & Gordon McKay, 2022. "Waste Management in Qatar: A Systematic Literature Review and Recommendations for System Strengthening," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-23, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2024:i:1:p:5-:d:1551169. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.