Logistic Constraints as a Part of a Sustainable Medical Waste Management System

In a Medical Waste Management System (MWMS), logistic issues have a significant importance due to medical waste characteristics that have an influence on transport restrictions, storage possibilities and safety reasons. This paper focuses on logistic determinants in a MWMS, taking into account existing legal requirements, organizational factors and economic aspects (on the example of Poland). Problems associated with effective logistics are essential for the quality and safety of a MWMS and these issues seem to be still undervalued. In Poland, there is approximately 40 thousand waste generators and each year they produce on average 45 thousand tons of medical waste, of which more than 90% is classified as infectious. The biggest flow comes from hospitals and large health care units; other sources are private medical practices, research units, hospices and pharmacies. All units generating medical waste must comply with strict requirements for the collection, storage and disposal, particularly with regard to infectious waste. In view of the above, organizational structure should include goals and constraints of MWMS in order to implement them in real-world conditions The framework for sustainable operation of a MWMS is efficient logistics of waste and balance in the link between waste generation units and treatment facilities.