Technical evaluation of steam sterilisation coupled with gasification to improve circularity of Australian hospital waste management: A case study

This paper reports on an alternate approach to hospital waste management by technically evaluating onsite steam sterilisation coupled with gasification to treat general and clinical waste. A literature review revealed a dearth of information on compositional breakdown of Australian hospital waste which may limit the application of more circular waste management practices. Three Australian hospital waste profiles were assessed; general and clinical wastes contributed on average 84.8 % and 6.9 % by weight respectively. Australian hospital general waste composition, reported here for the first time, was categorised into its major components with plastic and paper & cardboard representing 74.5 % and 13.4 % respectively. Technical assessment combining waste composition with theoretical values revealed that Australian hospital waste was well suited to processing through gasification and provided significant benefits. Environmental benefits included 95.9 % reduction in landfilling and associated emissions from landfill, transport and incineration, improved landfill lifespan and recycling. National hospital waste production was estimated at 230,717 tonnes per annum for 2019/2020.