Circular economy solutions for magnetic resonance imaging–Mitigation of environmental impacts and critical raw material use
2025
Horn, Susanna | Turunen, Topi | Saukkonen, Sara | Nylén, Erkki-Jussi | Sorvari, Jaana | Suomen ympäristökeskus | The Finnish Environment Institute | 0000-0001-8138-0209 | 0000-0002-4502-8088 | 0000-0001-7202-160X
The healthcare system is one of the most critical services of modern societies, but simultaneously, it raises significant environmental concerns and is reliant on several critical raw materials (CRMs). This study explores the opportunities of circular economy (CE) in healthcare through a case study of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices, by comparing selected CE solutions’ (rethink, reuse, refurbish, recycle) environmental and CRM-related impacts against the linear product system, and by assessing the regulatory frameworks related to CE and MRIs. Life cycle assessment showed that the CE options increasing the utilization rate of the device (rethink, reuse) are the most beneficial from the perspective of climate impacts and CRMs, whereas recycling is the least beneficial. Although legislation does not create barriers to the implementation of CE solutions, it does not effectively promote them. Furthermore, increased demand and limited availability of competent workforce restrict the potential benefits.
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