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Generation of healthcare waste from different patient care activities in hospitals, pathology labs and research centres has been a matter of great concern for environmental and social bodies across the world. This concern comes from its infectious and hazardous nature which brings life taking disease such as human immunodeficiency virus and Hepatitis-B. Moreover, with the outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic across the world, healthcare waste has become even more infectious like never before and showing its potential for claiming lives if not disposed properly. Additionally, the COVID-19 has put up another challenge in terms of exponentially increasing demand for personal protective equipments for healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, ward boys, and sanitation workers. In this paper, seven criteria related to smart healthcare waste disposal system infused by circular economy aspects to recover value from disposables are identified and analysed using a decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The criteria have been prioritized by its importance and net cause and effect relationship through a causal diagram. Two criteria, (i) digitally connected healthcare centres, waste disposal firms and pollution control board, and (ii) providing a pollution control board’s feedback app to public and other stakeholders, feature as strong reasons for a smart healthcare waste disposal system. Conclusively, this study provides a causal relationship model among the intertwined drivers of industry 4.0 and circular economy for developing a smart healthcare waste disposal system enriched with the benefits of circular economy.

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This work has been carried out to address the problem of proper waste management in India. To deal with this problem, the method of waste recycling has been felt appropriate by the government of various countries, including India. Therefore, the barriers that play vital role in waste recycling for private players have been identified and their importance has been established with the help of ISM and DEMATEL methods. Doing so will assist the government to take appropriate steps for the betterment of waste recycling infrastructure in India and enhance waste management.

Purpose The waste of invaluable agri-food produce is the concern of United Nations Organisation and all countries across the world. The purpose of this paper is to identify and model the drivers of agri-food waste management in India. Design/methodology/approach The interpretive structural modelling method is used to model the drivers in this study. This method helps in understanding the driver-dependent relationships among various drivers/criteria which are selected for studying. Findings The findings of the study vividly shows that the drivers such as disaster management planning, information dissemination, and training and awareness programs for farmers are most vital for tackling the issue. Research limitations/implications This work would help the policy makers in developing the effective policies regarding the management of agri-food waste in a sustainable manner. Practical implications This work would be very helpful for deeply understanding the causes of occurring waste and carefully handling it scientifically with a managerial perspective. Hence, it has the potential to reduce the generation of waste and saving the food for society. Social implications With the help of this study, the people, society, and underprivileged will be benefited directly. The savings in agri-food waste will not only help in controlling the prices of it but also its more availability would be beneficial for all in beating the hunger. Originality/value The identification of drivers for the sustainable management of agri-food is the novelty of this research.