Rethinking medical waste management through the 3R approach

Abstract

Medical waste management has become a critical sustainability challenge in developing countries due to increasing healthcare demand, inadequate waste treatment infrastructure, and weak regulatory implementation. Guided by circular economy theory, this study investigates the feasibility of adopting the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) framework to improve medical waste management practices in Bangladesh. A qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with 31 healthcare stakeholders, including cleaners, nurses, waste collectors, administrators, and waste management authorities. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to explore existing waste management practices, implementation challenges, and opportunities for circular transformation. The outcomes reveal that healthcare facilities have partially adopted 3R practices through waste segregation, sterilization, resource recovery, wastewater treatment, and recycling initiatives. However, inadequate infrastructure, limited technical capacity, insufficient workforce training, and weak enforcement of existing regulations remain significant barriers to effective implementation. Despite these challenges, locally adapted circular practices demonstrate considerable potential to reduce environmental pollution, improve resource efficiency, and enhance healthcare sustainability. This study extends circular economy theory to healthcare waste management by introducing the concept of contextual circularity within resource-constrained settings. It offers practical recommendations for strengthening policy implementation, institutional capacity, and stakeholder collaboration while contributing to SDGs 3, 12, and 13. The quotes provide a scalable framework for advancing sustainable and climate-resilient healthcare waste management in developing economies.