Routing Optimisation of Urban Medical Waste Recycling Network considering Differentiated Collection Strategy and Time Windows

Abstract

The increasing gap between medical waste production and disposal stresses the urgency of further development of urban medical waste recycling. This paper investigates an integrated optimisation problem in urban medical waste recycling network. It combines the vehicle routing problem of medical facilities with different requirements and the collection problem of clinics’ medical waste to the affiliated hospital. To solve this problem, a compact mixed-integer linear programming model is proposed, which takes account of the differentiated collection strategy and time windows. Since the medical waste recycling operates according to a two-day pattern, the periodic collection plan is also embedded in the model. Moreover, we develop a particle swarm optimisation (PSO) solution approach for problem-solving. Numerical experiments are also conducted to access the solution efficiency of the proposed algorithm, which can obtain a good solution in solving large-scale problem instances within a reasonable computation time. Based on the results, some managerial implications can be recommended for the third-party recycling company.

Healthcare waste management as a tool for human health protection: a mini review

“…The optimization of the collection and disposal model network aiming to minimize transportation is proposed by Homayouni and Pishvaee (2020) as essential for controlling health risks and waste management costs. Yao et al (2020) and Gao et al (2021) also pointed out the establishment of proper HCW center to minimize pollution, negative environment problems and also health risks.…”

Vehicle Routing Optimization for Pandemic Containment: A Systematic Review on Applications and Solution Approaches

“…As a result, future research should focus more on environmental and human-centric issues in order to build a more sustainable waste transportation system. Eren (2021) [82] Gao (2021) [73] Govindan (2021) [78] Haolin (2021) [74] Tirkolaee (2021) [81] Zhao (2021) [77] Sum 3 3 0 6 0 1 3 1 1 3 2 1 3 2 5 2 0 0 0 C: cost; E: pollutant emission; T: response time; D: demand; R: transmission risk; S: customer satisfaction; a: time restriction on customers; b: time restriction on depot; c: time restriction on vehicle or route; d: multi-horizon; e: multi-depot; f: split delivery; g: multi-echelon; U: uncertain parameters; Ex: exact method; M: metaheuristic; H: heuristic; ML: machine learning; Hy: hybrid method.…”

“…Other commonly investigated mode in infectious waste transportation includes multiechelon VRP [73,74,77] and location and routing VRP [77,78,81]. The former mode was applied when infectious waste generated in a small clinic was first transferred to collection stations and then transported to the disposal center.…”

“…In contrast, Jiang et al [70] suggested the minimization of average arrival time, taking into account all routes. If the travel time for a route is not directly available, the travel distance might be used to estimate it; therefore, another practical approach to measuring the response time is the minimization of the total travel distance [73,83,97,100].…”

“…The risk can be quantified based on the population exposure alone the route. To achieve a more sustainable waste disposal strategy, the collection of contagious and non-infectious waste must be separated [78]; Gao et al [73] recommended utilizing different visit frequencies for the waste collection according to the grades of the medical facilities involved.…”