Enabling Circular Economy in Healthcare Using Industry 4.0 Digital Technologies

There is a growing shift towards a circular economy as a society becomes more aware of the linear economy's influence on the ecology and sustenance of this ecosystem for the future generation. Digital technologies play an important role in the transition towards a circular economy by optimizing forward material flows and enabling reverse material flows. The opportunities of digital technology-enabled CE practices in the healthcare sector are not well studied. This research study aims at discovering the roles of Industry 4.0 digital technologies to facilitate a circular economy in the healthcare sector. The opportunities of Industry 4.0 digital technologies to enable a circular economy in healthcare are studied from the literature review as part of an exploratory research method in this study. A systems thinking and systems dynamics simulation model research approach is followed to build a conceptual model of digital technology-enabled circular economy practices in the healthcare sector. A conceptual system dynamics model of digital circular economy in healthcare is developed to show the complex interaction of Industry 4.0 digital technologies (Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics and Additive Manufacturing) on the circular economy activities (reuse, remanufacture and recycle) in the healthcare sector. The Internet of Things can support the collection of end-of-life products, reuse, remanufacture and disposal of healthcare products. Similarly, Additive Manufacturing together with the Internet of Things enables remanufacturing, reuse and recycling of healthcare products. Big data analytics interprets a large volume of data collected through the Internet of Things to support product remanufacturing, redistribution and reuse in the healthcare sector.