The sudden outbreak and prolonged impact of the global novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic has caused an increase in demand for medical products, such as masks and protective clothing, leading to an exponential increase in the generation of medical waste. As medical waste under the epidemic is highly infectious, it poses a great danger to human health. Therefore, with the proliferation of medical waste, it has become crucial to construct a reverse logistics recycling network that can handle medical waste quickly and efficiently. In this study, we construct a multi-period medical waste emergency reverse logistics network siting model with the objectives of minimum cost, minimum safety risk, and minimum time for the safe and quick disposal of medical waste. The model considers disposal capacity bottlenecks of existing facilities. Based on an empirical analysis using the COVID-19 epidemic in New York City, USA, as a case study, we find that the use of a suitable number of synergistic facilities and the establishment of temporary medical waste disposal centers are viable options for handling the dramatic increase in medical waste during the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic.

In 2018-2019, the recall scale of electric vehicles (EVs) in China reached 168,700 units; recalls account for approximately 6.9% of sales volume. There are imperative reasons for electric vehicle batteries (EVBs) recalls, such as mandatory laws or policies, safety and environmental pollution risks, and the high value of EVB echelon use, and thus, it has become increasingly important to reasonably design a reverse logistics (RL) network for an EVB recall. In this study, a multiobjective and multiperiod recall RL network model is developed to minimize safety and environmental risks, maximize the social responsibility and economic benefits, and consider the characteristics of EVBs, including the configuration of key recall facilities and the control of recall flows. The results of this study will help EVB practitioners, relevant departmental policymakers, and others to comprehensively understand the recall of EVBs, strengthen the safety and environmental protection issues in the EVB recall process, and promote the establishment of a safe, green, and sustainable EVB recall RL network.