1. Home
  2. Journals
  3. International Journal of Public Health Research and Epidemiology
  4. Articles In Press
  Submit Manuscript

Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/IJPHRE-RA-26-013

Healthcare Waste Generation at A Medium- To High-Complexity Academic Hospital in Colombia, 2022–2024

Yenny María Montaño 1*, Sulay Córdoba 2, Laura Viecco 3, Gustavo Bergonzoli 4

¹ Leader of the Environmental Management System, E.S.E. Hospital Departamental Tomás Uribe Uribe, Tuluá, Colombia.
2 Manager, E.S.E. Hospital Departamental Tomás Uribe Uribe, Tuluá, Colombia
3 Leader of the Research Sub-process, Grupo de Gestión del Conocimiento y la Innovación (GECOI), E.S.E. Hospital Departamental Tomás Uribe Uribe, Tuluá, Colombia.
4 Coordinator of the Grupo de Gestión del Conocimiento e Innovación (GECOI), Coordinator of the Research Group Salud, Medicina y Sociedad (SAMESO), E.S.E. Hospital Departamental Tomás Uribe Uribe (HDTUU), Tuluá, Colombia.

*Corresponding Author: Yenny María Montaño, Leader of the Environmental Management System, E.S.E. Hospital Departamental Tomás Uribe Uribe, Tuluá, Colombia.

Citation: Yenny María Montaño, Sulay Córdoba, Laura Viecco, Gustavo Bergonzoli (2026). Healthcare Waste Generation at A Medium- To High-Complexity Academic Hospital in Colombia, 2022–2024, J International Journal of Public Health Research and Epidemiology; 2 (4) 13, DOI: IJPHRE-RA-26-013

Copyright: Yenny María Montaño, et al © (2026). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Received: 18 June 2026 | Accepted: 24 July 2026 | Published: 14 August 2026

Keywords: healthcare waste production; waste segregation; waste trend; academic hospital; generalized linear model; colombia.

Abstract

Background: Healthcare facilities (HCFs) are the principal contributors to healthcare waste generation. 

Objective: 

To quantify the production of healthcare waste in an academic hospital in Colombia and to assess temporal trends in waste generation. 

Methods: 

A retrospective observational study was conducted in a medium-to high-complexity academic hospital located in Tuluá, Colombia. Waste was segregated at the source into three categories (ordinary, recyclable, and hazardous), collected daily, and weighed at the hospital's maintenance center. Data corresponding to the years 2022–2024 were obtained from institutional records. The generation rate was expressed as kilograms per bed per day (kg/bed/day), calculated based on annual production. Differences in annual averages were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Temporal trends were evaluated through a generalized linear model (GLM). All statistical tests were conducted at a significance level of α = 0.10. 

Results: 

All categories of healthcare waste demonstrated a statistically significant upward trend. The annual production of ordinary waste increased from 4.92 tons to 7.91 in 2024, representing an overall increase of 60.8%. Recyclable waste increased from 2.23 tons in 2022 to 4.46 in 2024, an overall increase of 100.0%. Hazardous waste rose from 9.82 tons in 2022 to 10.92 in 2024, an overall increase of 11.2%. The average generation rate across all categories was 0.27 kg/bed/day. 

Conclusion: 

The findings confirm an upward trend in healthcare waste generation at this Colombian academic hospital. Hospital authorities should strengthen protocols for hazardous waste handling to safeguard both healthcare workers and patients.

References

  1. Chartier Y, World Health Organization. Safe Management of Wastes from Health-Care Activities. 2nd ed. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2014.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  2. Hasan MM, Rahman MH. Assessment of Healthcare Waste Management Paradigms and Its Suitable Treatment Alternative: A Case Study. J Environ Public Health. 2018;2018:6879751.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  3. Dehghani MH, Ahrami HD, Nabizadeh R, Heidarinejad Z, Zarei A. Medical Waste Generation and Management in Medical Clinics in South of Iran. MethodsX. 2019;6:727-733.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  4. Janik-Karpinska E, Brancaleoni R, Niemcewicz M, Wojtas W, Foco M, Podogrocki M, Bijak M. Healthcare Waste—A Serious Problem for Global Health. Healthcare. 2023;11(2):242.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  5. Singh N, Ogunseitan OA, Tang Y. Medical waste: Current challenges and future opportunities for sustainable management. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol. 2022;52(11):2000-2022.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  6. Cook E, Woolridge A, Stapp P, Edmondson S, Velis CA. Medical and healthcare waste generation, storage, treatment and disposal: a systematic scoping review of risks to occupational and public health. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol. 2023;53(15):1452-1477.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  7. Harhay MO, Halpern SD, Harhay JS, Olliaro PL. Health care waste management: a neglected and growing public health problem worldwide. Trop Med Int Health. 2009;14(11):1414-1417.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  8. World Health Organization. Safe Management of Wastes from Health-Care Activities. 2nd ed. Geneva: WHO; 2014.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  9. Ramaganesh M, Shiny Rebekka S, Watson V, et al. Measurement of hospital efficiency in biomedical waste management. Mater Today Proc. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.10.415
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  10. Ministerio de Salud del Perú (MINSA). Integral Management and Solid Waste Management in Health Establishments, Support Medical Services and Research Centers. Lima: MINSA; 2018:1-88.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  11. Suarez Rivadeneira JE, et al. Generation rate of hospital solid waste from different services: A case study in the province of Bagua, northern Peru. Heliyon. 2024;10:e31814.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  12. MINSA, Peru. N° 217-2004. 2004. ISBN 9972851141.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  13. Herrera Rojas M, Lazo Ramos RS. Hospital Solid Waste Management System to reduce environmental impact in a social security hospital in Tacna—2018. Veritas Et Scientia Magazine—UPT. 2020;8:1192-1201.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  14. Khan BA, Cheng L, Khan AA, Ahmed H. Healthcare waste management in Asian developing countries: a mini review. Waste Manag Res. 2019;37:863-875.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  15. World Health Organization (WHO). Solid waste. https://www.paho.org/es/temas/residuos-solidos
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  16. Ticona-Casani GM, Sutta-Huamán LD. Hospital Waste in Latin America: Systematic Review. 2021;9(2):17-27.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  17. Kaposi A, et al. Analysis of healthcare waste and factors affecting the amount of hazardous healthcare waste in a university hospital. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag. 2024;26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-024-01890-1
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  18. Abarca D, Escobar F. Health waste management: an educational program from knowledge to practice. J High Andean Res. 2018;20:315-324.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  19. Nkonge Njagi A, Mayabi Olowe A, Kithinji J, Kithinji M, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice of health-care waste management and associated health risks in the two teaching and referral hospitals in Kenya. J Community Health. 2012;37:1172-1177.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  20. Choudhury M, Sahoo S, Samanta P, Tiwari A, Tiwari A, Chadha U, Bhardwaj P, Nalluri A, Eticha TK, Chakravorty A. COVID-19: An Accelerator for Global Plastic Consumption and Its Implications. J Environ Public Health. 2022;2022:1066350.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  21. Rupani PF, Delarestaghi RM, Abbaspour M, Rupani MM, El-Mesery HS, Shao W. Current status and future perspectives of solid waste management in Iran: a critical overview of Iranian metropolitan cities. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2019;26(32):32777-32789.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  22. Iyer M, Tiwari S, Renu K, et al. Environmental survival of SARS-CoV-2—A solid waste perspective. Environ Res. 2021;197:111015.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  23. Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social de Colombia. Resolución 1362 de 2020. Por la cual se adopta el Manual de Gestión Integral de Residuos Generados en la Atención en Salud y otras Actividades. Bogotá: Ministerio de Salud; 2020.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  24. World Health Organization. Safe management of wastes from health-care activities. 2nd ed. Chapter 2: “Categories of health-care waste”. Geneva; WHO, 2024.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  25. Kirk RE. Experimental Design: Procedures for Behavioral Sciences. 2nd ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company; 1982.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  26. Checkoway H, Pearce N, Crawford-Brown DJ. Research Methods in Occupational Epidemiology. New York: Oxford University Press; 1989.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  27. Kleinbaum DG, Kupper LL, Muller KE. Applied Regression Analysis and Other Multivariable Methods. Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press; 1988.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  28. Mendenhall W, Wackerly DD, Scheaffer RL. Mathematical Statistics with Applications. 4th ed. Boston: PWS-KENT Publishing Company; 1990.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  29. Ryan TP. Sample Size Determination and Power. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2013.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  30. Abanyie SK, Amuah EEY, Douti NB, et al. Healthcare waste management in Tamale Central Hospital, Northern Ghana. An assessment before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Environ Challenges. 2021;5:100320.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  31. Azami-Aghdash S, et al. Improving the hospital waste management at the Farabi hospital in Malekan—Iran: An action research study. Heliyon. 2023;9(7):e17695.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  32. Al NH, Izuka K, Edquibal C, et al. Quantitative assessment of medical waste management in Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. Occup Dis Environ Med. 2021;9. https://doi.org/10.4236/odem.2021.93009
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  33. Kaposi A, et al. Analysis of healthcare waste and factors affecting the amount of hazardous healthcare waste in a university hospital. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag. 2024;26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-024-01890-1
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  34. Christine Katusiime. Making Healthcare Waste Management A Priority: The Reality of Solid Waste Disposal at Mulago National referral Hospital. International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources. 2018;15(5). Doi 10.19080/IJESNR.2018.15.55921
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  35. Nieto-Sánchez ZC, Moreno-Sánchez YM, Fernández-Nieto EL. Management of hospital waste in a Service Provider Institution in the municipality of Los Patios, Norte de Santander, Colombia. Rev Salud Pública. 2022;24(5):1-8.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  36. World Health Organization. Safe Management of Wastes from Health-Care Activities. 2nd ed. Geneva: WHO; 2014.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
  37. Nematollahi H, Tuysserkani M, Nematollahi A. Medical waste management in the modern healthcare era: A comprehensive review of technologies, environmental impact, and sustainable practices. Results Eng. 2025;28:107210.
    View at Publisher | View at Google Scholar
img

Harry Brooks

journal of Clinical Case Studies and Review Reports. I would be very delighted to submit my testimonial regarding the reviewer board and the editorial office.the reviewer board were accurate and helpful regarding anu modifications for my manuscript,and the editorial office were very helpful and supportive in contacting and monitoring with any update and offering help.it was my pleasure to contribute with your promising journal and i am looking forward for more collaboration.

img

Mark

My testimonial covering : the peer review process is qucick and effective,the support from the editorial office is very professional and friendly, quality of the Clinical Case Studies and Review Reports is scientific and publishers research.

img

Sinisa franjic

i would like to thank the editorial team for their timely responses and consideration in the publication of my paper . I would encourage to publish there research in ScienceFrontier.

img

Ritu Tiwari

I am pleased to submit my testimonials regarding the reviewer board and the editorial office. As a peer reviewer for the manuscript titled “A Novel Dissolution Method for Simultaneous Estimation of sennoside A and Sennoside B in Senna Tablet,” I was consistently impressed by the reviewers’ thorough analysis, insightful feedback, and unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of the work. Their reviews were comprehensive and characterized by a respectful and collaborative approach, providing valuable suggestions that significantly improved the paper's outcome. Their dedication to the peer review process demonstrated their expertise and steadfast pursuit of excellence.

img

Qader Bawerdi

With all due respect, I would like to express my opinion on the peer review, editorial support, and the quality of the journal as follows: The peer review was conducted quickly and with great care, and my article was accepted for publication in less than a week. The editorial support regarding the status of the article process was excellent, and they informed me every day until the acceptance of the current status of the article version, and regarding how to answer questions, the editorial support was excellent, timely, and friendly, and they answered questions as soon as possible and did not hesitate. The quality of the journal was excellent and it made me proud to be acquainted with the journal, and I sincerely look forward to extensive scientific collaborations in any field. I hope for increasing success and pride for the International Journal of Social Science Research and Review and all scientific and knowledge-based communities. Thank you

img

Bhuvanagiri Sathya Sindhuja

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to this esteemed journal. The publication process was smooth, well-coordinated, and the peer reviewers deemed highly professional. The editorial team demonstrated exceptional diligence and support at every stage, ensuring a seamless experience from submission to final publication. I am truly honored to be featured in such a reputable platform and look forward to future collaborations."

img

Safana Abdullah Algutaini

Testimonial for the Journal of Biomedical Research and Clinical Advancements It was a truly rewarding experience publishing our study, "Single-Surgeon Outcomes of Left Ventricular Aneurysm Repair in Wartime Syria: A 10-Year Retrospective Study at Damascus University Cardiac Surgery Hospital," with the Journal of Biomedical Research and Clinical Advancements. The editorial and peer-review process was both rigorous and efficient, demonstrating a high standard of academic integrity and scientific scrutiny. The journal’s commitment to open access and global health equity is evident in its support of research emerging from conflict-affected and resource-limited settings—making our work not only visible but impactful. The professionalism of the editorial team, the speed of communication, and the clarity of submission guidelines all contributed to a smooth publication process. We were particularly impressed by the quality of the publication layout and the prompt indexing of our article, which enhances its accessibility to clinicians, researchers, and policymakers worldwide. We are proud to have contributed to this journal and highly recommend it to fellow researchers seeking a reputable platform to disseminate clinically significant and globally relevant findings.

img

Sajjad Ur Rahman

It is a great pleasure and honour to write this testimonial for IJPHRE which published our article on TH for HIE in LMIC on Feb 16th, 2026 and a commentary article on the same subject on 31st January 2025. Going through the very fast, well supported and properly guided process of publication in IJPHRE was an exceptional experience. The submission was very quick; peer review was very professional and done within a reasonable and short time. The comments of the reviewers meaningfully helped to reshape the manuscript without changing the fundamental dataset and analysis. The editorial board was very helpful and supportive. The communication was clear and instant, almost on daily basis. The team of authors felt very proud of seeing its manuscript published in an international journal of very high quality and esteem in remarkably short time of almost 45 days. We highly recommend IJPHRE for publication of all kinds of original scientific research, review articles and clinical guidelines.

img

Dr Sabita Sinha

I had a very positive experience with Clinical Case Studies and Review Reports. Emma Daniel was highly professional, supportive, and responsive throughout the editorial process. Communication was clear and timely at every stage of manuscript handling. The journal maintains a smooth review process and encourages quality academic publishing. I truly appreciate the efforts of Emma Daniel and the editorial team, and I would be glad to collaborate with the journal again in the future.