Modelling Dynamic Lifecycle Impacts of Circular Procurement in Healthcare (MODLI)

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability in supply networks in the healthcare sector and the tremendous waste problem and ecological impact of disposable healthcare products such as isolation gowns. Reusable gowns on the other hand can potentially reduce climate impacts and improve the resilience of healthcare systems by ensuring a steady supply in times of high demand. However, scaling the use of reusable, circular isolation gowns in healthcare organizations is not straightforward. It is impeded by economic, logistics and hygiene barriers, as processes for transport, storage and safety need to be (re)designed. Furthermore, healthcare professionals, such as purchasing managers, often lack complete information about social, economic and ecological costs of products and future benefits from recovered materials. Circular procurement, however, is considered a key driver in the transition to a circular economy as it contributes to closing energy and material loops and minimizes negative impacts and waste throughout entire product lifecycles.