The Challenge in Managing Healthcare Waste in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus in Brazil

Abstract

The advancement of technologies and supplies related to Diabetes Mellitus management has led to a growing production of waste with negative environmental consequences, prompting a call for sustainability in public policies. However, one of the challenges is the management of waste generated by these devices, favoring environmental preservation and the increased use of materials that can be recycled. This paper provides a reflective analysis of current public policy guidelines in Brazil regarding the disposal of healthcare waste. It concludes that a new perspective is needed concerning Brazilian health public policies, coupled with strategies enabling the reprocessing of healthcare waste through a circular economy model. Such an approach would foster innovations in healthcare, aiming for environmental preservation through ecologically sustainable actions to reduce the volume of waste, especially plastics, associated with Diabetes Mellitus treatment in the home context.