Published Paper Details:

Medical waste, characterized by its toxic and infectious nature, poses significant hazards to the environment and human populations. In contrast, nature demonstrates self-cleansing abilities in healthy ecosystems, perpetuating sustainability. To address the environmental impact of medical waste, adopting Clean Production and Zero Waste systems can effectively reduce, reuse, and recycle waste, contributing to a more sustainable environment. However, hazardous waste from healthcare establishments presents unique challenges in proper treatment and disposal. India, in particular, faces significant biomedical waste management challenges, especially in rural areas with inadequate infrastructure. This research paper reviews the current scenario of biomedical waste management in India, with a focus on incineration as a disposal method. Incineration, while reducing waste volume, releases toxic gases and heavy metals, posing health and environmental hazards. Alternative technologies, such as immobilization, wet chemical treatment, and microbial-based remediation, are being explored to make toxic residues inert and suitable for safe disposal or reuse. The reuse of incinerator ash in construction and agriculture is also being investigated. The study isolates metal-tolerant microorganisms and assesses their potential for remediating metal-contaminated waste. Promising results show that certain microorganisms can significantly reduce alkalinity, hardness, and chloride content in biomedical waste ash, making them potential candidates for remediation. Moreover, the mixture of biomedical waste ash with soil exhibits positive results for plant growth, particularly in a 4% ash-soil mixture. The research highlights the importance of proper waste management practices and the exploration of environmentally friendly alternatives to incineration. It emphasizes the significance of adopting cleaner technologies and leveraging microbial activities for sustainable waste management and environmental protection. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment conditions to enhance heavy metal removal efficiency further. By promoting sustainable waste management practices, the healthcare sector can contribute to a safer and healthier environment.