Despite the healthcare sector's unique healing mission to protect and restore health and save lives, its activities can paradoxically undermine it. The sector generates millions of tonnes of waste worldwide each year, and waste directly or indirectly negatively impacts our environment, health and well-being in many ways.

The vast majority of waste produced by the healthcare sector (approximately 85 %), however, is non-hazardous and similar to domestic waste, so much of it can be easily recycled. If non-hazardous waste is mixed with hazardous waste and not segregated at the point of generation, it must be classified and treated as hazardous medical waste.

This report has set up global principles for sustainable healthcare waste management. The five principles are:
 

1. Towards zero waste
2. Phase down an incineration
3. Toxic-free future
4. Worker protection
5. The way forward

The principles are explained to make them actionable for healthcare institutions, the EU, and cities and regions with key actions connected to them. The actions designed for healthcare organisations are quite systemic because it is recommended to collaborate to develop new tools that support waste reduction, establish a dialogue with manufacturers to prevent waste creation and increase reusability of products, and work with authorities to improve the reuse and recycling of healthcare products. Healthcare institutions can work with stakeholders to implement these actions, and public authorities can use these guiding principles to support and help implement a circular economy model. Cities and regions can also use the insights shared in this report in the design and implementation of a Circular Systemic Solution with the focus on healthcare waste prevention and management.