Biodegradable bioplastics in healthcare: opportunities, challenges and sustainable recycling

Abstract

The healthcare sector ranks among the largest consumers of single-use plastics, generating substantial amounts of waste, an issue strikingly captured in Maria Koijck's breast surgery photography. To reduce the environmental impact, biobased and biodegradable polymers are promising alternatives to conventional plastic medical disposables, offering sustainability while maintaining functionality. This review evaluates the suitability, circularity and benefits of various biobased and biodegradable plastics for healthcare applications and the critical role of effective waste management in enhancing sustainability in the medical sector. Implementing biobased medical plastics requires rethinking recycling strategies and waste management. Unlike fossil-based plastics, which reduce in quality while recycling, enzymatic and whole-cell biocatalytic recycling processes can preserve the quality of biobased and biodegradable materials, allowing them to be re-used for new products and offering a sustainable end-of-life solution. Integrating these materials into existing waste management requires overcoming social, economic, logistical, and technological challenges that must be addressed. Standardised regulations, awareness of the circular economy, and collaboration between academia and industry are crucial for developing medical-grade, sustainable solutions for a circular and environmentally responsible healthcare system.