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Exploring Circular Economy Practices in the Healthcare Sector: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Carlotta D’Alessandro

    (Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy)

  • Katarzyna Szopik-Depczyńska

    (Department of Business Management, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, 71-004 Szczecin, Poland)

  • Małgorzata Tarczyńska-Łuniewska

    (Department of Econometrics and Statistics, Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Szczecin, Mickiewicza 64, 71-101 Szczecin, Poland)

  • Cecilia Silvestri

    (Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization, University of “Tuscia” of Viterbo, 01100 Viterbo, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Ioppolo

    (Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy)

Abstract

The healthcare sector produces 2 gigatons of CO 2 . To address this impactful trend and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices could represent a strategic target. In this context, the present article provides a systematic and bibliometric literature review of CE practices applied in the healthcare sector by considering the collected case studies. This study aims to analyze the state of the art in CEs in the healthcare sector in order to identify CE practices in healthcare, examining how they contribute to sustainability goals and the critical issues in their implementation. A final selection of 36 articles from reputable databases, Web of Science and Scopus, was obtained and analyzed using VOSviewer. By systematically examining these papers, the study investigates the key CE practices implemented within the healthcare sector and their respective areas of application, which help the broader mission of achieving SDG 12, and also, to a lesser extent, SDG 9. Although the research criteria impose some limitations, this study offers a comprehensive review of successful circular practices adopted in the healthcare sector while shedding light on existing gaps and providing valuable insights for relevant stakeholders.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:1:p:401-:d:1312077
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Carina Pasqualotto & Daniela Callegaro-De-Menezes & Cornelius Stephanus Lodewyk Schutte, 2023. "An Overview and Categorization of the Drivers and Barriers to the Adoption of the Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-24, July.
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    4. Yiğit Kazançoğlu & Muhittin Sağnak & Çisem Lafcı & Sunil Luthra & Anil Kumar & Caner Taçoğlu, 2021. "Big Data-Enabled Solutions Framework to Overcoming the Barriers to Circular Economy Initiatives in Healthcare Sector," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-21, July.
    5. Yadav, Dinesh & Garg, Ramesh Kumar & Ahlawat, Akash & Chhabra, Deepak, 2020. "3D printable biomaterials for orthopedic implants: Solution for sustainable and circular economy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    6. Petra Hospodková & Vladimír Rogalewicz & Michaela Králíčková, 2023. "Gynecological Speculums in the Context of the Circular Economy," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-11, February.
    7. Chauhan, Chetna & Parida, Vinit & Dhir, Amandeep, 2022. "Linking circular economy and digitalisation technologies: A systematic literature review of past achievements and future promises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Abdullah Alshemari & Liz Breen & Gemma Quinn & Uthayasankar Sivarajah, 2025. "Towards a Sustainable Solution: The Barriers and Enablers in Adopting Circular Economy Principles for Medicines Waste Management in UK and Kuwaiti Hospitals," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 2495-2525, June.
    2. Antonio Licastro & Carlotta D’Alessandro & Katarzyna Szopik-Depczyńska & Roberta Arbolino & Giuseppe Ioppolo, 2025. "From Data Scarcity to Strategic Action: A Managerial Framework for Circular Economy Implementation in Mediterranean Small Towns," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Masoomeh Zeinalnezhad & Somaieh Alavi & Seyedmehdi Mirmohammadsadeghi & Angappa Gunasekaran & Golam Kabir, 2025. "Circular economy modelling for healthcare waste management by integrating system dynamics and analytical network process," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 987-1012, September.
    4. 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.

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