AI-Enabled Recycling of Thermoplastic Polymer Waste in Hospitals: A Circular Economy Pathway Toward Green Hospital Certification

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 02 | Page : 170 182
    By

    Arunika Bhadra,

  • Poulami Manna,

  • Hema Santra Manna,

  • Ankita Jana,

  • Anisha Biswas,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Management, Brainware University, West Bengal, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Management, Institute of Advance Education and Research, West Bengal, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Management, Institute of Advance Education and Research, West Bengal, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Management, Runax Institute, West Bengal, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Management, Brainware University, West Bengal, India

Abstract

This review research explores the latest role of AI in improving thermoplastic waste management for hospitals in terms of segregation accuracy, operational efficiency, and circular economy outcomes. Seventy-five relevant studies were analysed, and it was reported that AI-based systems, especially CNNs, YOLO models, and sensor-fusion approaches, achieved high accuracy in the identification and sorting of medical plastics, often above 90%. Early evidence also reveals improvements in the reduction of contaminants, purity of recyclables, and optimization of logistics. Real-world deployment remains limited, however, as the majority of studies are confined to laboratory or pilot levels. Overall, key gaps include restricted validation at the hospital scale, lack of standard performance metrics, and limited cost–benefit and life-cycle assessments. In spite of these limitations, the results indicate that AI-powered waste technologies can significantly support hospital circularity, reducing environmental burdens and strengthening pathways toward green-hospital certification. Furthermore, the integration of AI with existing hospital waste management policies, staff training programs, and regulatory frameworks is essential for successful implementation. Collaboration between healthcare institutions, technology developers, and environmental agencies will also play a crucial role in ensuring scalable and sustainable adoption. Future research should therefore focus on large-scale clinical validation, development of standardized evaluation indicators, economic feasibility analysis, and alignment with global sustainability and accreditation standards to enable practical and long-term application of AI-driven thermoplastic waste management systems in healthcare settings.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; hospital waste management; thermoplastic plastic; waste management; healthcare; green hospital.

[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer & Composites ]

How to cite this article:
Arunika Bhadra, Poulami Manna, Hema Santra Manna, Ankita Jana, Anisha Biswas. AI-Enabled Recycling of Thermoplastic Polymer Waste in Hospitals: A Circular Economy Pathway Toward Green Hospital Certification. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):170-182.
How to cite this URL:
Arunika Bhadra, Poulami Manna, Hema Santra Manna, Ankita Jana, Anisha Biswas. AI-Enabled Recycling of Thermoplastic Polymer Waste in Hospitals: A Circular Economy Pathway Toward Green Hospital Certification. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):170-182. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=239446


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Issue 02
Received 11/11/2025
Accepted 19/11/2025
Published 11/03/2026
Publication Time 120 Days
27

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