Optimization of medical waste routing problem: The case of TRB1 region in Turkey

Abstract

A fundamental problem concerning medical waste disposal is the evaluation of thereal and potential risks arising from waste with the focus on the risk of infection.Therefore, the optimization of medical waste routing from collection to disposalcenter can minimize the risk of infection. The routing of medical waste considerssignificant to determine potential routes and select the route with minimumdistance. The management of the medical waste is important decision forenvironmental sustainability and includes the collection, transportation anddisposal of these materials. In this paper, a geographic information system (GIS)solution approach is proposed to determine the best location of disposal center.Proposed approach is applied to medical waste transportation between 167 healthinstitutions (collection centers) and predetermined 5 disposal centers throughTRB1 region in Turkey, which consist of Malatya, Elazığ, Bingöl and Tunceliprovinces. The results of case study are examined and suggestions for futureresearch are provided.