Determining the effect of blockchain technology on the medical waste management process in the circular economy framework using integrated FUCOM-ARAS methods

Background: The circular economy concept aims to reduce environmental impact by promoting resource reuse, minimizing waste through input reduction, and lowering costs. Rising costs are leading healthcare facilities and other organizations to prioritize medical waste management. Blockchain technology, introduced in 2008, functions as a database of auditable and traceable transactions built on a network of trust-based blocks. Key features such as transparency, reliability, accessibility, flexibility, and automation can significantly enhance the efficiency of medical waste management processes, thereby contributing to the circular economy. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of medical waste management—critical for healthcare institutions and sustainable development—within the framework of the circular economy. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques are used to assess the contributions of blockchain technology to this process. Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify relevant criteria and alternatives. The Full Consistency Method (FUCOM), an MCDM technique, was used to calculate the weight of each criterion. The Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method was applied to rank the alternatives. Conclusion: According to the analysis's findings, transparency, traceability, and dependability are the three most important criteria, respectively. The stages of medical waste storage, disposal, and transportation have the highest priority ratings among the available options. According to these results, incorporating blockchain technology into medical waste management can significantly improve system traceability and reliability, enhancing its role in the circular economy. Notably, the storage phase is the most appropriate for implementing blockchain. However, the other phases’ comparatively high appropriateness scores attest to the technology's capacity to be used efficiently across the waste management cycle. This integration promotes traceable and transparent procedures, guaranteeing dependable waste management procedures in healthcare facilities and supporting the objectives of the circular economy and sustainability. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis shows that when the weighting of criterion is altered, the ranking of alternatives changes as well. This dynamic interaction emphasizes how blockchain technology may be successfully integrated into all phases rather than being restricted to just one because waste management is cyclical and holistic.