Scope of Using Alternative Technology for Bio Medical Waste Management: An Indian Approach

Abstract

Biomedical waste management presents significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, with particularly complex implications in developing countries like India. This comprehensive review examines the current status and future scope of alternative technologies for biomedical waste (BMW) management in the Indian context. The generation of biomedical waste in hospitals poses substantial hazards to healthcare workers and the environment, necessitating effective management strategies. Traditional methods such as incineration, while widely used, present environmental concerns related to toxic emissions. This paper explores emerging alternative technologies including plasma pyrolysis, microwave-assisted disinfection, electron beam treatment, and bioremediation approaches that offer promising solutions for safer and more sustainable BMW management. The research highlights how these technologies address the limitations of conventional methods while considering India's specific socioeconomic context. Economic viability analysis reveals opportunities for cost-effective implementation across various healthcare facility scales. The paper also critically examines India's regulatory framework through the Biomedical Waste Management Rules of 2016 and subsequent amendments, identifying significant implementation challenges and successes.