Millions of digital healthcare devices could be contributing to a growing e-waste problem, with valuable materials such as lithium, copper and gold often being discarded or incinerated at the end of their lives.
A four-year research project has developed a blueprint for creating a more circular healthcare system, aiming to keep medical products and their components in use for longer.
The Digital Health in the Circular Economy (DiCE) project examined the lifecycle of digital healthcare products, from design and manufacturing through to collection, refurbishment, reuse and recycling.
Researchers say many medical devices are classified as healthcare waste because of contamination concerns, making it more difficult to recover electronics and other valuable materials.
The scale of the issue could increase as the use of connected healthcare technology grows.
The study found that 83 million wearable medical devices were placed on the European market in 2020. But global annual sales could approach two billion devices by 2050 if current trends continue.
The project recommends designing devices to be easier to repair, refurbish and remanufacture, alongside improved collection systems and digital product passports showing the materials and components they contain.
The research also found that extending product lifetimes can deliver greater environmental benefits than focusing solely on recycling.
Reusable electrocardiogram lead sets, for example, reduced environmental impacts by 81% to 94% compared with disposable alternatives.
Consumer trials involving 414 people in Belgium, Spain and Slovenia found that more than 60% would return unwanted healthcare devices when convenient collection systems were available.
The project concluded that reducing healthcare e-waste will require changes across product design, clinical processes, logistics and recycling systems, while maintaining patient safety.
The findings come as global e-waste of all types exceeds 62 million tonnes a year and is projected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030.
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