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 environmental 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 environmental impacts 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. 

Project aim

This 2-year project aimed to facilitate the transition towards circular procurement in healthcare. 

Results

We designed and developed an open-source decision-support tool to inform circular procurement of isolation gowns in healthcare organizations. We also conducted a stakeholder analysis to identify key actors in the medical workwear value chain and mapped the material and value flows of circular isolation gowns. In addition, we have gained insight into the barriers that healthcare organizations face when transitioning to circular isolation gowns and some of the strategies they employ to overcome these barriers. Finally, we are in the process of finalizing educational materials to increase awareness and knowledge about circular procurement.

The project team hopes the tool will raise awareness of the critical role circular procurement plays in advancing a circular economy - one that maximizes material value while minimizing resource use and negative impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and pollution.

Partners

The MODLI project started in September 2023 and was led by the AUAS and included a consortium of partners, including the Amsterdam Economic Board, two major healthcare institutions, an industrial laundry, a waste management company and specialists in fabric production and textile technology.

Team

• Lori Divito
• Zita Ingen-Housz
• Roel Lambers
• Viet Nguyen
• Matvey Mochalov