BENGALURU: A recent study conducted by researchers at the Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), has shed light on the essential factors for the successful adoption of a circular economy model for healthcare waste management in India. The research, led by Dr. Anuj Dixit and Prof. Pankaj Dutta, is published in the journal Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy.
India produces approximately 774 tonnes of biomedical waste daily. The disposal of used, unused, and infected medications, instruments, safety gear, and packaging materials by individuals and healthcare centres remains a significant concern. The lack of special methods and technologies for safe disposal, coupled with inadequate public awareness and professional training, exacerbates the issue. Moreover, insufficient funding hinders the proper planning and implementation of effective waste management systems.
The circular economy model, which focuses on the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle, presents a viable solution to mitigate pollution and environmental damage. However, its application in the healthcare sector remains underexplored. Recognising the challenges, IIT Bombay researchers aimed to identify the key factors for effective implementation of this model in healthcare waste management.
The researchers analysed existing qualitative studies from various global industries, including healthcare, medical devices, stainless-steel surgical instruments, plastic healthcare products, and biomedical waste. Dr. Dixit emphasised the need for quantitative research within the healthcare sector to gain deeper insights into adopting the circular economy model.
Data for the study was collected through an objective questionnaire survey from medical practitioners and professionals across 54 healthcare organisations in India. These organisations, including hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare waste recycling units, pathological laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies, have been operational for at least ten years with a minimum annual revenue of ₹100 million.
Prof. Dutta highlighted the challenge of selecting appropriate health organisations according to their type and nature of healthcare waste. The researchers employed a combination of statistical techniques, including ANOVA, F-DEMATEL, and ISM, to derive qualitative and quantitative insights. This methodological approach provided actionable insights and aided decision-making in the face of uncertainty.
The study identified 17 critical success factors (CSFs) under five broad areas of impact—research and development, education and social behaviour, economic facets, responsibility, and tracking mechanisms. These CSFs include factors related to estimation, design, training, awareness, budget, responsibility, and transparency.
The researchers categorised the CSFs into causal and effect factors, providing better direction for planning implementation. Twelve CSFs were identified in the causal group, while the remaining five were in the effect group. Factors such as ‘government’s responsibility’ and ‘stakeholders’ participation’ were found to have the highest driving potential, whereas ‘segregation and collection’ depended on other causal CSFs. ‘Information visibility and transparency’, ‘manufacturer/corporate responsibility’, ‘training and empowerment’, and ‘budget allocation’ were identified as having the most significant impact on healthcare waste management.
The findings of this study offer valuable insights for policymakers and government bodies, enabling them to create practical and feasible plans to enhance sustainable healthcare waste management efforts. Although the results are specific to India, they hold relevance for other developing economies. The researchers advocate for including more experts and policymakers in future surveys to broaden and strengthen the findings.
Prof. Dutta concluded by emphasising the importance of re-evaluating the critical success factors once the circular economy model achieves a satisfactory level of success. This ongoing assessment will ensure the continuous improvement and sustainability of healthcare waste management practices.
