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Transition of Medical Waste Management (MWM) from Romania to the Circular Economy Paradigm: Expectations and Objective Limits

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia Bostan

    (“Sf. Cuvioasa Parascheva” Infectious Diseases Hospital, Iași, Romania)

  • Cristina Lazar

    (“Ovidius” University of Constanta, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Romania)

  • Ionel Bostan

    (“Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Doctoral School of Economics, Romania)

Abstract

The circular economy and medical waste management (MWM) are important for protecting the environment and human health. In the healthcare sector, the circular economy can be applied by reusing medical equipment, recycling materials from medical waste and adopting more sustainable practices such as reducing energy consumption and using more environmentally friendly materials. Clearly, reusing medical equipment reduces the amount of medical waste and can reduce costs. The authors intend through this paper to address MWM in Romania within a more sustainable circular system, attempting to identify the pros and cons, as well as the limitations, of a massive shift of MWM to circular economy principles. The structure of this paper includes, following this introductory part (1): Theoretical background (2), Research methodology (3), Circular economy and the healthcare waste management system (4), Approaching healthcare waste management within a more sustainable circular system (5), Limits of the massive shift of MWM to circular economy principles (6) and Conclusions (7).

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Bostan & Cristina Lazar & Ionel Bostan, 2023. "Transition of Medical Waste Management (MWM) from Romania to the Circular Economy Paradigm: Expectations and Objective Limits," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(1), pages 34-41, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:ovi:oviste:v:xxiii:y:2023:i:1:p:34-41
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    File URL: https://stec.univ-ovidius.ro/html/anale/RO/2023-i1/Section%201%20and%202/5.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Florin-Constantin Mihai, 2020. "Assessment of COVID-19 Waste Flows During the Emergency State in Romania and Related Public Health and Environmental Concerns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Victor Platon & Simona Frone & Andreea Constantinescu & Sorina Jurist, 2020. "Challenges in Adequate Management of Hazardous Medical Waste to Reduce Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Romania," Book chapters-LUMEN Proceedings, in: Marcin Waldemar STANIEWSKI & Valentina VASILE & Adriana Grigorescu (ed.), International Conference Innovative Business Management & Global Entrepreneurship (IBMAGE 2020), edition 1, volume 14, chapter 16, pages 212-226, Editura Lumen.
    3. Mari-Isabella Stan, 2022. "An Analysis of the Municipal Waste Management of Romania and Bulgaria in the European Context," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(1), pages 166-174, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    medical waste nanagement (MWM); circular economy; purpose; environmental protection; public health; support strategies/plans;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics

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