Waste Costs Research Articles

Anesthesia and Operating Room Waste Management

Introduction Operating rooms (ORs) are associated with high waste generation that contribute significantly to the overall hospital waste production, costs, and environmental impact. Hence, this study sought to explore the impact of the revision of single-use surgical packs in waste reduction and hospital cost savings. Methods A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to assess waste reduction strategies in operating rooms. A search was conducted on databases to evaluate the impacts of interventions on anesthesia waste reduction and cost savings. The search was limited to studies conducted between 2014 and 2024. Results The findings of the systematic review indicate that the revision of single-use surgical packs was associated with significant reductions in OR and anesthesia waste production and hospital costs. Conclusion The findings show that waste reduction initiatives could be effective in enhancing the sustainability of surgical procedures. The study underscores the role of simple but sustainable practices in addressing persistent environmental and financial challenges in the healthcare sector.

PROPIEDADES DINÁMICAS DE IMPACTO DE COMPUESTOS DE LODOS DE PAPEL DOPADOS CON OXICLORURO DE MAGNESIO

To address the heavy pollution caused by paper sludge, this study investigates a novel approach by incorporating paper sludge into magnesium oxychloride cement to develop a new type of concrete composite material. To achieve waste utilisation, cost savings and pollution reduction, the impact dynamics properties of the concrete specimens were conducted using an electromagnetically driven Hopkinson pressure bar, while a high-speed camera recorded the specimen destruction process, stress-strain curve, destruction morphology, deformation field, and evolution of energy consumption. Results show that as the paper sludge doping increases, the peak stress of the stress-strain curve and the energy consumption gradually increase. Increasing the voltage leads to a gradual rise in peak stress and energy consumption of the specimen. During the impact test, the transverse fissures gradually are developed in the test block, and as the impact stress increases, the fissures are widened until the specimen eventually being fractured. Moreover, the higher impact voltage and paper sludge content result in the increased specimen displacement and strain. It is expected that nearly 50% of paper sludge will be recycled every year by this method, which will save 10%-20% of raw materials. The conclusions obtained in this study provide a reference for the engineering application of the paper sludge concrete composites. Keywords: Paper sludge, Magnesium oxychloride, Digital image correlation, Energy consumption, Impact dynamic properties.

Utilisation of Agricultural Wastes as Alternative Raw Materials in Fermented Food Production

The increasing demand for sustainable food production has led to a growing interest in the utilization of agricultural wastes as alternative raw materials in the fermentation industry. This systematic literature review examines the potential of agricultural by-products, such as fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and cereal residues, as substrates for fermented food production. By analyzing a wide range of studies, this review identifies the types of agricultural wastes successfully used, the fermentation processes involved, and the benefits derived from these practices, including waste reduction, cost savings, and nutritional enhancement. The review also highlights the challenges associated with the variability in waste composition, logistical constraints, and consumer acceptance. The findings suggest that the utilization of agricultural wastes in fermented food production not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also offers economic and nutritional benefits. However, further research is needed to optimize fermentation processes, assess economic feasibility, and enhance consumer acceptance. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers interested in promoting sustainable food production practices.

Reducing plastic waste in intensive care from longer use of intravenous administration and invasive monitoring sets: A before-and-after study

IntroductionIntensive care unit (ICU) treatment carries a large environmental burden. Extending routine replacement of plastic line sets that belong to intravenous administration or invasive monitoring might lower waste from single-use plastics in ICUs. We extended the routine replacement interval of line sets from 4 to 7 days and assessed plastic waste reduction. MethodsIn this single center retrospective study the extension of the time interval from 4 to 7 days for routine replacement of line sets and its effect on plastic waste was assessed. The intervention was done at the start of 2022. Secondary outcomes were catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), nursing workload, costs and material durability. ResultsIn total 1221 patients were admitted to ICU; 636 in the pre-intervention period and 585 in the post-intervention period. There was a reduction of 881 replacement sets, 182 kg of waste and 96 nursing hours in 2022. There was no difference in CRBSI incidence. ConclusionThis study demonstrates the benefits of 7-day replacement intervals for intravenous administration and invasive monitoring sets. We established this in terms of waste reduction, patient safety and costs.

Analysis of The Implementation of Environmental Costs Case Study at Banjarmasin Islamic Hospital

This study aims to uncover waste management activities and environmental costs of environmental cost reporting at the Islamic Hospital of Banjarmasin. This researcher uses a qualitative paradigm with a case study design. The research scope is the Unit of Environmental Health Sanitation with the accounting process of environmental management, hospital waste management's data focus, and expenditures for waste costs. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews and observations; secondary data, through documentation. The results revealed that environmental management accounting systems in 2019 and 2020 found hidden environmental costs from waste management cost reports in the Financial Statements. For example, the environmental cost report applied to the SKL Unit revealed Rp. 677,646,500 and Rp. 459,521,600 not presented as an environmental cost in 2019 and 2020. The implementation of environmental cost accounting through environmental cost reporting at the Islamic Hospital of Banjarmasin revealed that special reports in environmental management accounting could be used as information by the management of the Islamic Hospital of Banjarmasin in planning and controlling environmental responsibility activities. The study results also revealed that the environmental cost report facilitated the direction of the Islamic Hospital of Banjarmasin in making decisions related to environmental costs and provided information for stakeholders that the hospital had been responsible for maintaining environmental health.

Reducing Cancer Drug Cost: 3-Year Analysis of Automated Dose Rounding in Electronic Health Records.

Globally, cancer drug expenditure exceeds $185 in US dollars (USD) billion, with the United States contributing $75 (USD) billion. Many cancer drug doses are calculated on the basis of body weight or body surface area, which often results in leftover drug in partially used single-dose vials (SDVs). The cost of wasted drug is a huge financial burden on the US health care system. We evaluated the cost savings resulting from the reduction of SDV wastage, achieved through the implementation of automated dose rounding rules in electronic health records (EHRs). Mayo Clinic implemented automated dose rounding rules within the EHR. These rules were designed to round calculated doses to the nearest SDV if the vial size closely matched the original calculated dose, within a 10% threshold. We assessed doses administered between January 2019 and December 2021, and computed cost-savings, waste reduction, and cost of waste for chemotherapy drugs. In 3 years, 36.1% of doses were rounded down, 35.8% were rounded up, and 28.1% were exact doses. By rounding doses down to a vial size, we achieved cost-savings of $39.75 (USD) million and prevented 62,065 SDV of cancer drugs from going to waste. By rounding doses up, we avoided wasting $9.95 (USD) million worth of drugs. However, there were still instances where the rounding fell outside of the 10%, resulting in wasted drugs worth $25 (USD) million. The substantial burden imposed on patients and the US health care system because of cancer drug wastage is of significant concern. Although the automated dose rounding system represents a partial solution for this issue, a comprehensive approach involves the imperative development of policy and legislative solutions to effectively mitigate the challenges associated with cancer drug waste.

QUANTIFICATION OF CARBON POTENTIAL OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE TREATMENT: A CASE STUDY OF GUANGZHOU, CHINA

ABSTRACT Emission reduction in the construction sector is essential for China to achieve its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Construction waste recycling represents an important step in reducing the construction industry’s carbon emissions; however, construction waste recycling potential has received little attention from the industry to date. This paper adopts the Life Cycle Assessment method, constructs a carbon potential quantification formula for different construction waste treatment modes, and evaluates the economic benefit of these methods. The study’s main results are as follows. (1) For each unit (t) of construction waste disposal, the carbon potential of close-range off-site recycling is the lowest, that of public landfill is the highest, and that of recycling is intermediate. (2) The economic benefit evaluation shows that under the same conditions, the lowest total disposal cost for construction waste per unit (t) is via recycling and resourcing, indicating that this approach combines economic benefits, environmental friendliness, and sustainability. (3) Eco-friendly bricks produced by construction waste recycling have reduced carbon potential requirements compared to traditional bricks; thus, the construction waste treatment process plays a successful role in reducing carbon potential. This study’s conclusions enrich and improve the theory of construction waste resource management and can be used as a reference basis for the government to formulate emission reduction strategies for the construction industry and provide guidance for enterprises related to construction waste recycling.

Reducing Waste in F&B ProductionFOOD & BEVERAGE

Margins are tight in the food and beverage industry and producers are under pressure to keep waste and energy costs to a minimum. Here, World Pumps discovers how pumps play a vital role in boosting efficiency and sustainability in the sector while maintaining hygiene standards

Interventions to Reduce Surgical Waste Burden: A Systematic Review.

Operating suites are significant drivers of waste, pollution, and costs. Surgeons can help fight the climate crisis by implementing innovative strategies aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of surgical procedures and decreasing operational costs, and moving toward a more sustainable healthcare system. This study aims to review the literature describing interventions that reduce surgical waste. PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were searched. Studies reporting interventions to reduce operative waste, including emissions, energy, trash, and other, were included. Case reports, opinion-based reports, reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. Study quality was rated using MINORS and Jadad scales. Data were extracted from each study to calculate waste on a per case basis. Narrative review of studies was performed rather than meta-analysis. The search yielded 675 unique hits, of which 13 (level of evidence: I-III) met inclusion criteria. Included studies were categorized by intervention type in relation to the operating and procedure room. Three studies evaluated provider education initiatives, three evaluated setup of instruments, two evaluated single-use items, four evaluated technique changes, and one evaluated surgical venue. Seven studies reported significant reductions in disposable surgical waste throughput, and seven reported significant reductions in cost. The results of this systemic review demonstrated the effectiveness of surgical waste reduction initiatives in reducing waste volume, cost, and carbon emissions. Within plastic surgery, minimal surgical packs resulted in reduced gross waste and cost while promoting patient satisfaction in hand surgery, supporting the continued development and implementation of such initiatives in a surgical context.

An integrated approach for economic evaluation of environmental and health costs of occupational diseases in the oil industry

The health sector is one of the components of development, social welfare and economic growth. The purpose of this study was to develop an economic evaluation model of the environmental and health costs of occupational diseases by hybrid approach. To achieve the study goal, a taxonomy of economic evaluation model of the environmental and health costs of occupational diseases has been developed. The Delphi method was used to identify health and environmental criteria and the analytic network process (ANP) method was used to weigh the sub-criteria. Finally, health and environmental cost were estimated based on the available information. Naft Subspecialty Hospital in Tehran, Iran (NSHT), was selected as the place of case study. In this study, eight and eleven sub-criteria were identified in the health and environmental sector, respectively. The ANP results indicated that the medicine and medical equipment cost criteria with a weight of 0.312 in the Medical sector, and the special and infectious waste cost criteria with a weight of 0.085 in the environmental sector were the most significant cost criteria in NSHT. Furthermore, the parametric model findings indicated that 99.84 and 0.16% of the total costs are associated with health and environmental costs, respectively. The findings indicated that 61.3% of the costs of the health sector were associated with the two sectors of medicine and medical equipment and the cost-of-service personnel, and 91.7% of the costs of the environmental sector are associated with wastewater treatment and the cost of electricity consumption. This study tried to present a quantitative model of the health and environmental costs of NSHT. Implemention of this integrated model can be a practical and effective step in allocating resources and prioritize interventions.

Advancing jasmine tea production: YOLOv7-based real-time jasmine flower detection.

To produce jasmine tea of excellent quality, it is crucial to select jasmine flowers at their optimal growth stage during harvesting. However, achieving this goal remains a challenge due to environmental and manual factors. This study addresses this issue by classifying different jasmine flowers based on visual attributes using the YOLOv7 algorithm, one of the most advanced algorithms in convolutional neural networks. The mean average precision (mAP value) for detecting jasmine flowers using this model is 0.948, and the accuracy for five different degrees of openness of jasmine flowers, namely small buds, buds, half-open, full-open and wiltered, is 87.7%, 90.3%, 89%, 93.9% and 86.4%, respectively. Meanwhile, other ways of processing the images in the dataset, such as blurring and changing the brightness, also increased the credibility of the algorithm. This study shows that it is feasible to use deep learning algorithms for distinguishing jasmine flowers at different growth stages. This study can provide a reference for jasmine production estimation and for the development of intelligent and precise flower-picking applications to reduce flower waste and production costs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Patient reported medication-related problems, adherence and waste of oral anticancer medication over time

ObjectivesPatients on oral anticancer therapy regularly experience medication-related problems (MRPs), potentially leading to non-adherence and medication waste. Most studies reporting these experiences have cross-sectional designs. The aim of our study...

Balancing pH and yield: exploring itaconic acid production in Ustilago cynodontis from an economic perspective

BackgroundItaconic acid is a promising bio-based building block for the synthesis of polymers, plastics, fibers and other materials. In recent years, Ustilago cynodontis has emerged as an additional itaconate producing non-conventional yeast, mainly due to its high acid tolerance, which significantly reduces saline waste coproduction during fermentation and downstream processing. As a result, this could likely improve the economic viability of the itaconic acid production process with Ustilaginaceae.ResultsIn this study, we characterized a previously engineered itaconate hyper-producing Ustilago cynodontis strain in controlled fed-batch fermentations to determine the minimal and optimal pH for itaconate production. Under optimal fermentation conditions, the hyper-producing strain can achieve the theoretical maximal itaconate yield during the production phase in a fermentation at pH 3.6, but at the expense of considerable base addition. Base consumption is strongly reduced at the pH of 2.8, but at cost of production yield, titer, and rate. A techno-economic analysis based on the entire process demonstrated that savings due to an additional decrease in pH control reagents and saline waste costs cannot compensate the yield loss observed at the highly acidic pH value 2.8.ConclusionsOverall, this work provides novel data regarding the balancing of yield, titer, and rate in the context of pH, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the itaconic acid production process with Ustilago cynodontis, especially from an economic perspective.

A new Fermatean fuzzy multi‐objective indefinite quadratic transportation problem with an application to sustainable transportation

AbstractIn this work, a Fermatean fuzzy (FF) multi‐objective indefinite quadratic transportation problem (TP) is introduced. Due to some unavoidable reasons, real‐life transportation parameters such as supply, demand and costs are indeterminate in nature and cannot be expressed in crisp terms. We represent these parameters using FF numbers, an extension of fuzzy numbers, which are capable of representing indeterminacy efficiently. A multi‐objective indefinite quadratic TP where each objective is a product of two linear factors (cost functions) is considered. Defuzzification of FF numbers is accomplished by the introduction of ‐cut for the first time. The obtained crisp TP is solved using the intuitionistic fuzzy programming approach and FF programming approach to arrive at a compromise solution. To substantiate the work, solution methodology based on defuzzification using the ranking function is also deliberated. The applicability of the model is demonstrated through a sustainable TP, which simultaneously minimizes transportation cost with depreciation cost and packaging cost with wastage cost. The resulting value of the objective functions and the aspiration levels are compared to depict the efficacy of the proposed method over the ranking function method. The concluding section summarizes the work, and future avenues along with some limitations of the work are also specified.

Waste management systems in the context of sustainability

The present paper deals with waste management systems in the context of sustainability in selected municipalities. The author's team aimed to find the key waste groups according to the classification groups that have a major impact on the volume of waste and the cost of the system, thus facilitating management decision-making. In order to optimise the management of the entire waste management system from the perspective of the statutory municipality, it was first necessary to reduce the original list of 53 waste items to a significantly smaller number. With the help of waste management experts, criteria for reducing the number of waste input items were defined, resulting in a reduced statistical sample of 27 items. Each item is quantified by the amount of waste per year and the cost of the system per year. The mathematical apparatus consisted primarily of calculating average values as well as marginal slopes of waste quantity and cost. The interrelationships between waste groups were graphically recorded in perceptual maps. The individual analyses were carried out primarily for a statutory city, with secondary comparisons of the results with smaller towns and small villages. The analytical procedures verified that the catalogue of basic components of mixed municipal waste can be significantly reduced for decision-making in secondary resource management. The amount of waste selected in each group significantly impacts the cost of the whole waste management system. Of the original 15 waste groups, only three groups appear to be the main ones. The municipal waste group even has a decisive influence on both the quantity of waste and the cost of the whole system. Thanks to these findings, from the point of view of both the manager and the management of the statutory city, it is possible to focus on this core group, which contains the 13 original catalogue items.

Strategies for effective reuse of waste from abandoned buildings under sustainable development

Introduction: In the continuous advancement of urbanization, abandoned buildings are a huge challenge in achieving sustainable development goals. If these legacy buildings are not properly handled, they will cause a huge burden on society, economy, and the environment. Based on the material flow analysis method, an evaluation index system was constructed for legacy building resources, and a systematic study was conducted on the reuse pathways of their waste.Methods: This study focuses on the material flow, reuse pathways, and resource utilization strategies of legacy construction waste, aiming to improve the reuse efficiency of waste building materials and promote the achievement of sustainable development goals. In the study, indicator design was used to quantify the obstacles to the reuse of legacy construction waste, and social and economic costs were analyzed to ensure the comprehensiveness and scientificity of the research.Results: The experimental results show that the waste recycling rate under the implementation of this strategy reached 82.7%, and the resource utilization rate increased by 50.1%. For the obstacles to the reuse of construction waste, the network density reaches 0.052, and the overall network structure shows a lack of concentration, indicating that the current management methods for construction waste reuse have further optimization space.Discussion: The study effectively promotes the sustainable utilization of legacy buildings in cities, which is of great significance for improving the quality of urban space and promoting sustainable social development.

846 Implant Waste and Associated Costs in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Abstract Aim Trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) surgery relies heavily on medical devices of different unrecyclable materials. This specialty generates significant metalwork wastage through implants, screws, nails and plates, placing a large economical strain on healthcare. Finding sustainable solutions is vital given globally increasing life expectancies and heavier dependency on invasive interventions, such a knee or hip arthroplasties. Our primary outcome is to quantify implant wastage across the literature, and secondarily investigate the associated costs. Method PRISMA guidelines were followed in the design, conduct and reporting. We searched through three databases (Scopus, PubMed and Embase) using MeSh terms including “implant waste” and “trauma and orthopaedic surgery”. We included observational and randomised controlled trials reporting patients undergoing T&O surgery, where the wastage or associated costs was provided. Results Our final analysis included 15 articles, screened from a total of 2,145 articles. 25,025 procedures were included, but there was limited and unmatched data. Implant waste ranged, occurring in 0.8%-25.1% procedures and costing on average $167,139.13. Screws and nails were amongst the most wasted material (up to 91% and 48% respectively), however intramedullary nails were the greatest cost contributor, making up to 47.6% of total wastage cost. Up to 95% of waste was attributable to human error. Conclusions Balancing implant wastage and hospital costs with patient safety is a challenge for many T&O subspecialties. The largest factors contributing to waste were human factors, such as surgeon or staff error, miscommunication and changing decision. We hope this review will inform future guidelines in encouraging implant waste mindfulness.

Dried Rice for Alternative Feed as a Waste Management Product for Sustainable Bioeconomy in Rice-Producing Countries

Dried rice, an organic waste recycling product, is made from dried rice leftovers. With a carbohydrate content nearly equivalent to corn but at a lower price, it has potential as an energy-generating feed, especially in poultry farming. The nutrient content and price of dried rice were evaluated to assess its efficiency for animal feed use. Dried rice samples from three areas in East Java, Indonesia, were analyzed for moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber content. Additionally, this research assesses the effectiveness of dried rice as a corn substitute in broiler feed by observing its impact on feed intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and broiler performance index. Proximate analysis showed insignificant differences among treatments, with moisture content ranging 12.45–12.71%, ash content 0.55–1.31%, crude protein 10.34–10.64%, crude fat 0.12–2.48%, and crude fiber from 0.81 to 1.55%. Although all samples were assessed as efficient, products from Lumajang and Pasuruan were preferred for feed production due to their similarity to corn nutrient content. Dried rice costs approximately USD 213–228 per ton, significantly lower than corn. Dried rice production reduces both organic waste and poultry production costs concurrently, serving as a sustainable waste management model in Indonesia and other rice-producing countries, shifting towards a bioeconomy from a linear economy.

An audit on the amount of drug wastage and the cost related to the disposal of unused intravenous agents in the operating theatres in a tertiary care hospital

: This manuscript presents an audit focused on assessing the extent of drug wastage and associated costs linked to the disposal of unused intravenous agents within the operating theatres of a tertiary care hospital. The study aims to carefully look at drug wastage, figure out why it happens, and propose strategies for optimizing resource utilization and cost-efficiency in clinical settings. : This audit is a prospective observational study carried out in a tertiary care hospital. The amount of drug loaded preoperatively, the amount of drug utilized, the amount of drug unutilized and discarded, the total quantity of drug wasted, and the cost related to the wastage were calculated in percentage. The maximum wastage of loaded drugs was seen with atropine (100%), followed by ephedrine (93.6%), propofol (52.5%), phenylephrine (35.2%), atracurium (28.6%), dexmedetomidine (27.8%), fentanyl (16.8%), vecuronium (16.2%) and morphine (6.4%). The cost analysis revealed that 36.3% of the total loaded drugs were wasted amounting to Rs.46903.54. The cost of wastage of propofol was maximum with Rs.14006 which is 29.8% of total cost wastage followed by atracurium 21%(Rs.9856), dexmedetomidine 18.4%(Rs.8687.5), ephedrine 14.7%(Rs.6919), phenylephrine 10.4%(Rs.4910), fentanyl 3.7%(Rs.1780), atropine 1.9% (Rs.906), vecuronium 1.2% (Rs.563.76), Morphine 0.18% (Rs.85.28).: In our audit, the maximum drug wastage was observed with atropine (100%) amounting to Rs.906, and the cost of wastage was maximum with propofol amounting to Rs.14006 which was 29.8% of the total cost of wastage. Our audit underscores the importance of proactive management of drug wastage and disposal costs in healthcare settings, particularly within operating theatres where intravenous agents play a crucial role in patient treatment. By conducting a comprehensive audit and proposing targeted interventions, healthcare institutions can optimize resource utilization, enhance sustainability, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Compositional Consequences of Ultrafiltration Treatment of White and Red Wines.

Clarification and stabilisation processes are routinely performed post-fermentation to 'finish' wines, but traditional methods are slow and energy intensive, create waste, and can affect wine volume and quality. New methods that 'finish' wine rapidly, with higher recovery rates, and reduced waste and input costs, are therefore needed. Ultrafiltration is a separation process that fractionates liquids, nominally, according to molecular weight. By comparing the composition of permeate and retentate derived from pilot-scale fractionation of white and red wine using 75, 20, or 10 kDa membranes and different degrees of permeation (50, 80, 90, or 95%), this study sought to evaluate ultrafiltration as an innovative approach to the clarification and stabilisation of wine. Mass balance analysis confirmed that titratable acidity and alcohol were fractionated according to the degree of permeation; however, proteins, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds (including anthocyanins for red wine) were concentrated in retentate due both to the membrane molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) specifications and degree of permeation. The retention of wine constituents smaller than the nominal MWCO suggests that interaction with other macromolecules or the membrane surface occurred. Red wine permeates were stripped of much of their essential character and were no longer considered commercially acceptable. In contrast, the removal of protein and phenolic compounds from white wine demonstrated the potential for ultrafiltration to remediate heat unstable or excessively phenolic wines. Findings enabled the identification of other winemaking applications of ultrafiltration technology that could enhance wine quality, process efficiency, and profitability.