2 Presentations

• 
  03:40 PM - 04:05 PM

  Stochastic Network Design Model for Circular Medical Waste Management System

  • Paria Fakhrzad, presenter,
  • Verma Manish, McMaster University

  This research addresses the challenges in managing a circular medical waste system that has become more prevalent due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising healthcare demand. Infectious medical waste causes severe threats to the environment and human health, and managing this waste requires complying with regulations and policies. The various and uncertain types of waste produced in different medical centers pose significant challenges to the operations of the medical waste management system (MWMS).
  Therefore, this study proposes a two-stage stochastic reverse logistics network design for a circular MWMS that ensures minimal environmental impact and maximizes revenue opportunities. The proposed model contributes to filling the gap in the lack of consideration of container management and then incorporates a practical sampling algorithm for handling uncertain waste production under different circumstances. The model is validated through an experiment with simulated data, and the results are verified computationally.
  Furthermore, a case study of the city of Hamilton in Ontario is conducted to demonstrate the practical implementation of the proposed model. The findings suggest that a circular MWMS can generate revenue by applying reuse, recycling, and timely and accurate decisions on capacity level and technology, which are crucial for handling hazardous medical waste. The study highlights the importance of sustainable and cost-effective medical waste management to ensure minimal environmental impact while maximizing revenue opportunities.
• 
  04:05 PM - 04:30 PM

  Optimization of medical mask logistics in the context of circular economy: A cost-effective analysis of a Canadian case study

  • Erika Villalobos, presenter, ÉTS
  • Tasseda Boukherroub, ÉTS
  • Lucas Hof, ÉTS
  • Neila El Asli, ÉTS

  The unfortunate covid-19 pandemic generated an unprecedented increase in masks use. This sparked interest in looking for alternatives to treat used masks. Establishing reverse Logistics networks (RLNs) for collecting and recycling used masks is an interesting answer to tackle this problem. This study focuses on designing and planning a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) or a RLN for dealing with end-of-life procedural facemasks.

  The valuable components obtained from the recycling process are polypropylene and aluminum, which can be sold to potential customers. An optimization model to efficiently collect and recycle used facemasks is proposed. Decisions to be made include material flows in the network and supplier selection to maximize the profit of the CLSC or RLN. The Return on Investment (ROI) is calculated to evaluate the economic viability of the proposed CLSC or RLN. Various scenarios are analyzed to identify profitability conditions.

  The results show that expanding and sharing existing facilities (warehouse and manufacturing centers) for collecting and recycling used masks are among the conditions that lead to profitability. On the other hand, it is not reasonable to establish a RLN to collect and recycle masks unless it is integrated with the forward SC or a substantial government subsidy is granted.