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The Role of Supply Chain Management in Healthcare Waste Management: A Scoping Review on Reverse Logistics, Inventory
Sikhanyiselwe Nkomo1, Maasago Mercy Sepadi2, Kabelo Kgarosi3
1Centre for Development and Implementation of Point-of-Care Diagnostics School of Health Systems and Public Health Faculty of Health Sciences University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa.
Background And Aim:
Efficient healthcare waste management (HCWM), guided by supply chain management (SCM) principles such as reverse logistics (RL), inventory control, and regulation, is essential for reducing environmental and health risks. However, weak supply chain systems, particularly in low-resource settings, continue to undermine sustainability. This scoping review maps how SCM influences HCWM globally, focusing on RL and inventory control, their environmental health impacts, and opportunities to strengthen sustainable waste management systems.
Methods:
The review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and Arksey and O'Malley framework, structured using the Population-Concept-Context approach. Literature was searched in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost. The research questions were as follows: (1) How does SCM influence HCWM globally? (2) What roles do RL and inventory control play in shaping environmental health impacts within healthcare systems? Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts using Covidence, and study quality was assessed using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool.
Results:
A total of 506 records were identified, of which 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings show that healthcare SCM influences HCWM through interconnected policy, operational, technological, economic, and behavioral domains. Effective inventory control and RL reduce waste and improve resource recovery, whereas weak governance, limited infrastructure, workforce constraints, and low public engagement hinder circular economy (CE) implementation and worsen environmental outcomes.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight the critical role of SCM in advancing CE practices by promoting waste reduction, traceability, and environmental sustainability. Strengthening regulations, building capacity, and adopting technological innovations are essential to achieving effective and sustainable HCWM.
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