The landscape for medical waste management across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific is in a time of uncertainty and turbulence. The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought a glut of medical waste, but at the same time, the postponement or cancellation of medical appointments and elective surgeries has tempered the impact in terms of absolute volume. Key medical waste management methods, incineration and autoclaving, will continue to lead in actual tons waste managed, but changing conditions create an opportunity for new services and treatment methods. These conditions include pressure from COVID-19, the global push for sustainable and circular economies, as well as growing regulation and its enforcement worldwide, but most specifically in developing economies. As a result, there is increasing interest in no-burn solutions, on-site solutions, and autoclave alternatives, such as microwave and ozone.

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