This paper presents a proposed circular economy (CE) model for hospital bio-waste management, using Athens as a case study to demonstrate its applicability in urban environments. The model incorporates waste segregation at the source, resource recovery methods such as composting and anaerobic digestion, and data-driven tools to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare waste management. The study investigates the transition from linear to CE practices, focusing on structured collection strategies, collaborative efforts between hospitals and municipal authorities, and continuous tracking of waste flows. A comprehensive analysis of bio-waste volumes from participating hospitals over a three-year period is conducted, utilizing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tools such as TOPSIS to evaluate the system’s effectiveness. The results indicate a significant increase in hospital participation, improved waste separation, and optimized resource recovery, offering a scalable framework for other municipalities seeking to implement CE-based waste management practices in healthcare settings.

This paper introduces an innovative model for the organization and management of municipal bio-waste collection networks in major cities, particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Embracing circular economy principles and sustainable city practices, the proposed model addresses the urgent need for sustainable urban bio-waste management systems. Delving into the dynamic urban landscape, with a focus on the city of Athens, the study highlights the necessity of a robust decision-making methodology, the implementation of resilient processes, and the evaluation of their efficacy, especially during challenging times. The model centers on the effective collection, transportation, and monitoring of bio-waste, with a strategic aim to moderate environmental impacts, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and advance sustainable development goals. Utilizing the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, this paper thoroughly examines critical components of an innovative bio-waste collection network, including infrastructure, technology, and human resources. By merging best practices from global urban centers and accounting for the unique characteristics of Athens, the model envisions a transition toward a circular economy. Notably, the proposed municipal bio-waste collection network at the source anticipates substantial contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goals in major cities. The study concludes by showcasing the successful application of these methodologies in the Municipality of Athens, providing tangible evidence of their positive impact.

This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine how inclusive and sustainable local development is conceptualized and operationalized in relation to local governments and municipalities. Guided by PRISMA 2020, the review draws on academic, institutional, and standards-based sources retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and selected official portals, and organizes the evidence through three analytical pillars: conceptual and theoretical approaches; governance and policy frameworks; and operational tools, standards, indicators, and reporting practices. The findings show that the literature provides strong justice- and inclusion-oriented conceptual foundations, while governance studies emphasize the importance of multilevel arrangements, institutional capacity, and policy translation at municipal level. The review also finds that sustainability reporting, ESG-related practices, and indicator frameworks offer operational tools through which municipalities respond to accountability and stakeholder expectations, although these remain unevenly institutionalized and only partly connected to decision-making. Overall, the review identifies a persistent implementation gap between justice-oriented development objectives, municipal governance arrangements, and operational accountability mechanisms. While municipalities increasingly adopt sustainability-oriented tools, reporting practices, and indicator frameworks, the integration of normative inclusion principles into governance structures and measurable outcomes remains uneven. The study contributes a three-pillar analytical framework that helps explain how conceptual, governance, and operational dimensions interact within municipal sustainability practice.