Report on the Global Medical Waste Management Market and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The global medical waste management market is undergoing significant expansion, driven by increasing healthcare activities, stringent regulations, and a growing emphasis on sustainable practices. This report analyzes the market’s trajectory, key segments, and regional dynamics, with a specific focus on its contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Effective medical waste management is crucial for achieving several SDGs, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Market Projections and Growth

The market is projected to experience robust growth, reflecting the increasing volume of healthcare waste globally. The financial outlook is as follows:

• 2024 Valuation: USD 36.84 billion
• 2025 Projection: USD 39.8 billion
• 2034 Forecast: USD 79.83 billion
• Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) 2025-2034: 8.04%

This growth is indicative of the expanding healthcare infrastructure and the critical need for systems that protect public and environmental health, directly supporting SDG 3 and SDG 11.

Market Overview and SDG Alignment

Medical waste management involves the comprehensive handling, treatment, and disposal of waste from healthcare facilities. Its primary objective is to mitigate risks to human health and the environment.

• Public Health Protection (SDG 3): Proper management prevents the transmission of infectious diseases from contaminated materials, safeguarding community health.
• Environmental Safety (SDG 6, SDG 11): Adherence to disposal protocols prevents the contamination of soil and water resources, contributing to cleaner and more sustainable communities.
• Occupational Safety (SDG 8): It ensures the protection of healthcare workers from occupational hazards associated with handling hazardous waste.
• Regulatory Compliance and Responsible Production (SDG 12): Compliance with national and international regulations promotes responsible consumption and production patterns within the healthcare sector.

Key Market Drivers and Trends

Several factors are propelling market growth, many of which are aligned with global sustainability targets.

1. Increasing Healthcare Waste Volume: A rising global population, an increase in surgical procedures, and the widespread use of disposable medical products are generating more waste, necessitating advanced management solutions.
2. Focus on Sustainable Practices (SDG 12): There is a significant market shift towards eco-friendly treatment methods, recycling, and the principles of a circular economy. This includes a preference for non-incineration technologies to reduce carbon footprints, supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action).
3. Technological Advancements: The integration of automation, AI, and robotics is streamlining waste handling, while advanced treatment technologies like autoclaving and microwave irradiation offer environmentally safer alternatives to traditional incineration.
4. Stringent Regulations: Governments worldwide are implementing stricter regulations for medical waste disposal, compelling healthcare facilities to adopt compliant and sustainable practices.

Regional Analysis and SDG Contributions

North America

North America dominated the market in 2024, driven by high healthcare expenditure, established infrastructure, and strong regulatory frameworks that enforce sustainable waste management. The region’s focus on professional management practices to mitigate health risks and environmental pollution strongly supports SDG 3 and SDG 12.

• United States: Generates over 5 million tons of medical waste annually. Management is regulated by the EPA and state agencies, focusing on safe treatment and disposal to protect public health and the environment.
• Canada: Emphasizes sustainable practices, including recycling and reducing single-use plastics in healthcare, directly contributing to SDG 12. Provincial governments manage waste according to national guidelines, utilizing incineration, chemical disinfection, and thermal processes.

Asia Pacific

The Asia Pacific region is projected to exhibit the fastest growth, driven by expanding healthcare sectors, rising awareness, and the adoption of modern waste treatment technologies. The shift towards sustainable, non-incineration technologies and onsite treatment addresses key challenges related to rapid urbanization and environmental protection.

• China: With medical waste surging post-COVID-19, the government has enforced strict tracking and centralized disposal systems to curb illegal dumping, aligning with SDG 3 and SDG 11.
• India: Facing challenges with infrastructure and compliance, India is focusing on stricter enforcement of its Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules and investing in advanced technologies to improve public health outcomes and achieve SDG 6.

Segmental Insights

By Treatment Site

• Off-site Treatment: This segment held the dominant market share in 2024. It involves transporting waste to specialized facilities, ensuring high-level compliance and environmental safety, which is crucial for meeting the targets of SDG 12.
• On-site Treatment: This segment is expected to grow significantly. Treating waste at the point of generation reduces transportation risks and emissions, enhancing safety and contributing to SDG 11 and SDG 13.

By Treatment Method

• Incineration: This method dominated the market in 2024 for its effectiveness in destroying pathogens and reducing waste volume. However, its environmental impact is a growing concern.
• Autoclaving: This segment is projected to grow at a significant rate. Autoclaving uses steam to sterilize waste and is considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to incineration, promoting the goals of SDG 12 by reducing harmful emissions.

Recent Developments

Recent initiatives highlight the industry’s move towards sustainability and capacity building:

• February 2025: The launch of an indigenous automated biomedical waste treatment technology in India marks a step towards self-reliant and environmentally friendly solutions.
• June 2025: A partnership between IGNOU and the WHO to launch a certification program for biomedical waste management aims to build capacity and promote best practices, supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 3.

Leading Companies and Contributions to Sustainability

Key market players are contributing to sustainable waste management through innovative services and a focus on environmental responsibility.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Medical Waste Management Market

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article directly connects medical waste management to public health. It states that its significance includes “safeguarding public health by preventing the spread of infections and diseases from contaminated waste” and “protecting healthcare workers by reducing occupational hazards.”
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The article highlights the environmental protection aspect of waste management, specifically mentioning the goal of “shielding the environment from pollution and soil or water contamination,” which is crucial for maintaining clean water resources.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article emphasizes the role of technology and innovation in the market’s growth. It points to “technological innovations such as new treatment and disposal methods, AI applications in waste management,” and the integration of “robotics, automation, and AI in streamlining waste handling processes.”
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article addresses the challenge of managing the “rising volume of medical waste” generated in populated areas, especially with “urbanization and expanded healthcare access.” Proper management is essential to reduce the environmental impact on cities, as noted in China’s efforts to “curb illegal dumping and protect public health and environmental quality.”
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This is a central theme. The article discusses a “shift towards advanced and eco-friendly treatment methods,” “increased recycling and reuse of materials,” a “focus on the circular economy,” and efforts in Canada toward “reducing single-use plastics in hospitals and clinics.” These actions directly relate to sustainable consumption and production patterns by managing waste effectively.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article’s core purpose of medical waste management is to prevent “the spread of infections and diseases from contaminated waste” and reduce risks from “hazardous materials like infectious waste, sharps, and chemical residues.”
• Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. The article’s mention of protecting the environment from “water contamination” and China’s reforms to “curb illegal dumping” directly align with this target.
• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The article highlights the market growth driven by “advanced treatment technologies like microwave treatment, autoclaving, and plasma arc technologies with environmentally friendly solutions.”
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The article discusses the massive volume of waste generated (e.g., the U.S. generates “over 5 million tons annually”) and the need for effective management systems to handle it, which is a key aspect of this target.
• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. The article is entirely focused on this, detailing methods like “incineration, autoclaving, and landfilling” and the importance of “strict regulatory and compliance standards” to ensure safe handling and disposal.
• Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The article points to a “shift towards sustainable practices,” “increased recycling and reuse of materials,” and Canada’s emphasis on “recycling non-hazardous waste and reducing single-use plastics,” which are all methods to achieve waste reduction.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Volume of medical waste generated: The article provides specific data points that can be used as a baseline indicator. For example, it states that the U.S. “generates over 5 million tons annually” and India generates “over 700 tons daily.” Tracking this volume over time would measure progress towards waste reduction (Target 12.5).
• Adoption of environmentally sound treatment technologies: The article frequently mentions the market shift towards “advanced and eco-friendly treatment methods” like “autoclave” and “microwave irradiation” over traditional incineration. The percentage of waste treated by these modern, sustainable methods serves as a direct indicator of adopting cleaner technologies (Targets 9.4 and 12.4).
• National recycling and reuse rates: The text explicitly mentions “increased recycling and reuse of materials” and Canada’s focus on “recycling non-hazardous waste.” The proportion of medical waste that is recycled or reused is a quantifiable indicator for measuring progress towards a circular economy (Target 12.5).
• Implementation of national regulations and compliance: The article refers to the existence of “strict regulatory and compliance standards,” such as the “Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules” in India and regulations from the “EPA and state agencies” in the U.S. The number of countries with such regulations and the rate of compliance are key indicators for achieving environmentally sound management of hazardous waste (Target 12.4).

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: finance.yahoo.com