Biomedical Waste Valorization and the Circular Economy in Healthcare: Towards Models Adapted to the Beninese Context

Africa faces interconnected environmental, industrial, and health challenges, including increasing volumes of agro-industrial and healthcare waste, limited waste-management infrastructure, and a growing burden of metabolic diseases. This presentation explores circular-economy approaches for transforming these challenges into opportunities for environmental protection, health innovation and local socio-economic development in Benin.
The first perspective focuses on the valorization of residual biomass, particularly brewer’s spent grain and invasive Sargassum biomass, as potential sources of proteins, peptides, polyphenols and other bioactive compounds. An integrated scientific pathway is presented, encompassing biomass characterization, protein extraction and hydrolysis, molecular characterization, evaluation of biological activities, and safety assessment.
The second perspective addresses circularity in healthcare through a life-cycle approach to biomedical and laboratory equipment, from acquisition and use to maintenance, repair, reuse, recycling and end-of-life management. Evidence from health facilities in Benin highlights challenges related to waste management, infrastructure, waste quantification and staff training.
Together, these perspectives highlight the importance of local scientific capacity, appropriate infrastructure, enabling policies and North–South partnerships based on co-creation and knowledge sharing. The overarching objective is to develop context-adapted circular models that transform local residual resources into environmental, health, and socio-economic value.