Medical Waste Containers Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type of Waste (General Medical Waste, Infectious Medical Waste, Hazardous Medical Waste, Other Types of Waste), By Product (Chemotherapy Containers, Biohazardous Medical Waste Containers, Sharps Medical Waste Containers, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Containers, Other Products), By End-User (Hospitals and Private Clinics, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies & CROs, Academic Research Institutes, Other End Users) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global medical waste containers market size was valued at USD 2.53 billion in 2023. It is expected to reach USD 4.77 billion in 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.32% over the forecast period (2024-32). Increasing healthcare expenditure globally leads to higher healthcare facility utilization and consequently generates more medical waste. This growth in healthcare activities fuels the demand for medical waste containers to manage and dispose of the waste safely. As healthcare services expand, so does the need for efficient waste management solutions, boosting market growth.

Patients, workers, and the general public must be kept safe while medical waste is disposed of by adhering to the appropriate procedures and standards. Medical waste can be produced by any facility that handles body fluids, biohazardous waste, or medical sharps. This includes medical and veterinary clinics, as well as tattoo parlors. Medical waste refers to waste that, for safety purposes, must be isolated and stored in medical waste containers. These include actual human parts, blood-contaminated objects, and sharps, among others. In addition to drugs, body fluids, and radioactive waste, medical waste can also consist of medications. Healthcare facilities, tattoo parlors, and veterinary clinics require waste containers for medical waste. Sharps, biohazardous trash, and anything contaminated with biological fluids must be disposed of in medical waste containers to prevent personnel and patients from unintentional contact. Standard trash containers lack the necessary safety and labeling to meet medical waste disposal requirements.

Due to the high potential for harm posed by medical waste, strict restrictions govern its disposal. Particular objects are tainted with blood and other biological fluids, which can cause sickness. Others, such as used needles and scalpels, are sharp and may contain pathogens that cause hepatitis and AIDS. Radiation-containing medical waste can cause burns and raise the risk of cancer. The market for medical waste containers is primarily driven by the global rise in healthcare expenditures and the number of operations and surgeries. In addition, the expanding number of hospitals in emerging nations, the rising patient population, the rising amount of diagnostic and laboratory testing samples, and the growing awareness of the benefits of hospital waste management are all contributing to the expansion of the medical waste containers market as a whole.

Market Dynamics

Global medical waste containers market drivers

Increasing investment in innovative medical waste container

The medical waste containers market expansion is primarily attributable to the increasing expenditure on medical waste container innovation. The growing number of operations worldwide generates a substantial volume of medical waste, which is why the government continues to invest in these medical waste containers for improved hospital waste management. In 2017, over 40,675 laparoscopic hysterectomy procedures were performed in Germany, followed by 16,975 in Italy and 15,452 in the United Kingdom, as reported by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). From 2013-14 to 2017-18, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of surgical procedures in Australia increased annually by 1.7%. Thus, it is apparent that the number of surgeries conducted worldwide is rising, contributing to expanding the medical waste containers market share.

In addition, according to the UNESCO Science Report, the United States conducts 46% of the world's research and development in the life sciences, making it the leader in this field. The pharmaceutical business in the US spends the most on research and development, which includes drug discovery. Increasing expenditures on research and development for clinical investigations will also result in a substantial increase in medical waste. As a result of rising research and development expenditures, the market for medical waste containers is anticipated to have a healthy expansion over the coming years.

Global medical waste containers market restraints

Container breakage leads to the spread of disease

Medical waste can pose many health risks to healthcare personnel, trash workers, and the general public without proper management or disposal. Injuries from needle sticks can occur if discarded needles are mistakenly transported to recycling facilities or if containers break open in transit. When sharps containers protrude through plastic bags, housekeepers and janitors are also at significant risk. Therefore, breaking or spilling containers can cause various illnesses in the human body. Multiple diseases, including parasite infections, meningitis, skin infections, candidiasis, bacteremia, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and many others, have been linked to the inappropriate disposal of medical waste. This hampers the global market for medical waste containers.

Global medical waste containers market opportunities

The increased generation of medical waste 

Increasing medical waste production and strict environmental and medical laws worldwide will create profitable prospects for the medical waste containers market in the coming years. In addition, the incidence of chronic diseases is increasing worldwide, and the longer life expectancy of patients with chronic ailments contributes to the rise in surgical procedures. Surgical procedures will expand in the future, directly driving future medical waste containers market growth. In addition, several government efforts related to medical waste management will boost the market for medical waste containers in the future. In addition, the small and medium-sized businesses functioning in the analyzed market are eager to improve their products and increase their consumer base. This may raise the demand for medical waste containers.

Regional Analysis

The region-wise segmentation of the global medical waste containers market includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. 

North america and europe will dominate the regional market

North America will command the market with the largest share while growing at a CAGR of 7.3%. Due to the highly structured healthcare industry, increase in the incidence of major chronic diseases, rising number of operations, and the growing number of hospitalizations, the North American medical waste containers market share is predicted to expand throughout the forecast period. In addition, growing knowledge about medical waste management is a significant factor in developing the market. Environmental Recovery Corporation United States 2020 reports that hospitals in the United States generate more than five million metric tons of garbage yearly. This equates to approximately 25.1 pounds of waste per staffed bed per day.

According to the 2020 Florida Health Report, roughly 44,000 establishments in Florida now generate biomedical waste. These include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, labs, mortuaries, dentists, veterinarians, physicians, pharmacies offering flu vaccines, body piercing salons, tattoo shops, transporters, and storage and treatment facilities. As a result of the increase in medical waste, there is a tremendous demand for medical waste containers to efficiently manage the trash, hence promoting market expansion.

Europe will expand at a CAGR of 7.4% and hold USD 937 million. Due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the rising elderly population, Europe has many pharmaceutical businesses working on product development, which is projected to boost the medical waste containers market growth. The increasing number of surgical procedures is also anticipated to be a significant factor driving market expansion in the area over the forecast period. According to the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (GSTCVS), 174,902 surgical procedures of all types were done in Germany in 2018, with heart surgery treatments accounting for 98,707 of the total surgical procedures performed in Germany. This is projected to boost the market for medical waste containers in the following years, as the amount of medical waste created during surgical procedures will expand.

Segmental Analysis

The global medical waste containers market is classified based on the type of waste, product, end-users, and region. 

Based on the type of waste, the segments include General Medical Waste, Infectious Medical Waste, Hazardous Medical Waste, and Other Types of Waste. 

The general medical waste section is projected to advance at a CAGR of 7.2% and hold the largest market share. Most medical waste comprises typical household and office garbage, including paper, plastics, liquids, sanitary wastes, and other items. General waste does not require special care and can be disposed of and sent to landfills regularly. According to WHO's 2018 revisions, around 85% of the total quantity of trash generated by healthcare activities is general and non-hazardous waste. Globally, the increase in hospital stays and the number of healthcare institutions are projected to lead to a rise in general medical waste production.

The hazardous medical waste section will hold the second-largest market share. As hazardous medical waste, solvents and reagents used for laboratory preparations, disinfectants, sterilants, and heavy metals found in medical devices (such as mercury in broken thermometers) and batteries are included. Depending on their origin and prior exposure to human or animal tissue, a subset of hazardous trash may also be called infectious waste. Sometimes, old medications, including chemotherapy treatments, might be harmful. The management of hazardous biomedical waste necessitates a heightened focus on avoiding adverse health outcomes associated with inadequate procedures, such as exposure to infectious pathogens and poisonous compounds.

Based on product, the segments include Chemotherapy Containers, Biohazardous Medical Waste Containers, Sharps Medical Waste Containers, Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) Containers, and Others. 

The chemotherapy containers section is projected to advance at a CAGR of 7.2% and hold the largest share. Trace chemotherapy waste and bulk chemotherapy waste are included in chemotherapy waste. Trace chemotherapy waste consists of IV tubing, medicine bags, vials, and any component of the needle and tubing system used to administer chemotherapy to a patient. However, the proper disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE), towels, wipes, and pads that come into touch with chemotherapy medications is required. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies chemotherapy wastes as hazardous waste, and incineration is used to dispose of them as medical waste. These containers are intended for the secure collection and storage of chemotherapy and trace chemotherapy waste.

The sharps medical waste containers section will hold the second-largest share. Sharps waste is any object or substance that penetrates or cuts the skin. This category includes hypodermic needles, disposable scalpels and blades, stained glass and some polymers, and surgical guidewires. Body fluids or treatment chemicals frequently contaminate used medical needles. When toxins penetrate the skin, waste can spread blood-borne illnesses. Sharp containers may be used once and then discarded with their contents, or they may be reused and emptied by a robot before being recycled.

Based on end-user, the segments include Hospitals & Private Clinics, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies & CROs, Academic Research Institutes, and Others.

The hospitals & private clinics section is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.5% and hold the largest market share. Hospitals and clinics are the most significant generators of hazardous waste. Depending on its location, each hospital has its profile for the production and transportation of waste. It is crucial to manage hospital trash to prevent health and environmental hazards effectively. Due to the increasing number of patient visits, the growing number of diagnostic and surgical practices, the presence of a vast number of hospitals and clinics worldwide, and the soaring concern about the occurrence of hospital-acquired and surgical site infections, which may be caused by improper waste management in these healthcare facilities, hospitals, and clinics generate a substantial amount of medical waste.

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies & CROs will hold the second-largest share. The pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and contract research organizations (CROs) generate a substantial volume of waste and wastewater, necessitating the implementation of reuse and recycling programs that significantly influence environmental and financial objectives. In the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, waste management plays an essential role. Wastes are undesirable resources that can no longer be utilized in production processes and eventually transform into either hazardous or non-hazardous substances.

Recent Developments

• January 2024 - The installation of GENERATIONS was announced by Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York State, and Envetec Sustainable Technologies Limited ("Envetec"), a cutting-edge cleantech company committed to eliminating the current unsustainable practices of treating regulated medical waste (also known as biohazardous or infectious waste).
• January 2024 - Stericycle, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRCL), a prominent supplier of secure information destruction and medical waste management solutions, announced the release of their redesigned one-gallon CsRx® Controlled Substance Wastage and SafeDropTM Sharps Mail Back containers. Customers may expect a more sustainable product, better usability, and a more modern design from Stericycle's new line of containers than from its earlier models.