The global medical waste management market was valued at USD 18.45 Billion in 2025 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.00%, reaching USD 33.04 Billion by 2035. The market growth is driven by the growing healthcare infrastructure, rising hospital waste generation, and strict government regulations for safe disposal across the globe.
Base Year
Historical Period
Forecast Period
Veolia’s USD 350 million North American investment could significantly boost treatment capacity, supporting rising medical waste volumes and regulatory compliance demands.
Routeware’s acquisition of Compliance Publishing may drive digital transformation, enabling safer, more efficient, and transparent global medical waste management operations.
Global capacity expansion plans by Veolia could address long-term waste treatment shortages, particularly in emerging healthcare markets experiencing rapid infrastructure growth.
Compound Annual Growth Rate
6%
Value in USD Billion
2026-2035
*this image is indicative*
The market is witnessing significant growth, driven by increasing healthcare activities, stricter government regulations, and rising awareness of safe disposal practices. Growing hospitalizations and diagnostic procedures generate large volumes of infectious and hazardous waste, necessitating advanced treatment solutions. Technological advancements in segregation, recycling, and incineration processes, coupled with public- private collaborations, are fostering market expansion. Emerging economies are investing heavily in infrastructure, offering substantial growth opportunities for waste management service providers globally. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.00% during the forecast period of 2026-2035 and attain a market value of USD 33.04 Billion by 2035.
Growing M&A Activity Driving Market Expansion
Strategic acquisitions are reshaping the market. For instance, in November 2024, Waste Management acquired Stericycle for USD 7.7 billion, integrating regulated medical waste services into its healthcare solutions division. Similarly, in June 2025, Veolia acquired New England Disposal Technologies and New England MedWaste in Massachusetts, consolidating its regional operations. These moves enhance operational capabilities, expand market reach, and strengthen service portfolios, positioning major players to capture growing healthcare waste volumes and meet rising regulatory demands worldwide.
Major market trends include investments, technology adoption, capacity expansion, and sustainability.
Expansion of Hazardous Waste Treatment Capacity Enhancing Market Potential
In June 2025, Veolia announced a USD 350 million investment to enhance its hazardous waste treatment and disposal operations in North America. This initiative includes upgrading existing facilities and expanding service coverage to handle increasing volumes of medical and industrial waste. The investment aims to improve operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service reliability, positioning Veolia as a key player in the North American medical waste management market while meeting the growing demand for safe and sustainable disposal solutions.
Technology Integration Driving an Increase in the Medical Waste Management Market Demand
In June 2023, Routeware, a leading provider of integrated technology solutions for the waste and recycling industry, acquired Compliance Publishing. This acquisition strengthens Routeware’s medical waste management solutions by providing advanced compliance and regulatory tools, enabling healthcare facilities and waste operators to optimize collection routes, improve documentation, and maintain adherence to evolving government regulations. The integration of technology and compliance solutions is driving operational efficiency, transparency, and safety, reflecting a broader industry trend toward digitalization in medical waste management.
Strategic Investments Expanding Medical Waste Management Market Value
In June 2025, Veolia also announced plans to expand its hazardous waste treatment capacity globally by 530,000 tonnes annually by 2030. This expansion is designed to meet the increasing medical waste generation worldwide, particularly in emerging markets with growing healthcare infrastructure. By scaling capacity and improving access to treatment facilities, Veolia aims to reduce bottlenecks, ensure sustainable waste handling, and strengthen its market position globally, emphasizing the importance of long-term strategic investments in response to rising healthcare and industrial waste volumes.
Rising Focus on Sustainable Practices Driving Growth in Medical Waste Management Market
The market is witnessing a rising emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable disposal methods. Healthcare providers and regulatory bodies are prioritizing solutions that minimize environmental impact, such as energy-efficient incineration, autoclaving, and chemical-neutralizing technologies. Growing awareness of climate change and stricter environmental regulations are encouraging operators to adopt greener practices. This trend is driving innovation in sustainable treatment technologies, boosting demand for solutions that balance safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility across the medical waste management sector.
Thermal Segment to Lead the Market by Treatment Technology
Among treatment technologies, the thermal segment, particularly incineration, is likely to hold the largest market share due to its proven efficiency in safely disposing of infectious and hazardous medical waste. Incineration can significantly reduce waste volume while neutralizing pathogens, making it highly favored by hospitals and large healthcare facilities. Additionally, established infrastructure, regulatory acceptance, and ability to handle diverse waste types of position thermal treatments as the dominant segment, with emerging technologies gradually complementing rather than replacing this core method.
North America is likely to maintain the largest market share, having contributed 30% of revenue in the historical period, driven by extensive adoption of advanced incineration and autoclave technologies in hospitals and large healthcare facilities. Europe represents the second-largest market, supported by strict hazardous waste regulations and growing investments in sustainable disposal solutions. The focus on regulatory compliance and technologically advanced treatment methods in these two regions positions them as the primary revenue drivers, while other regions remain in early-stage development or adoption phases.
The key features of the market report comprise funding and investment analysis, and strategic initiatives by the leading players. The major companies in the market are as follows:
Stericycle, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Bannockburn, Illinois, USA, specializes in regulated medical waste management, including collection, treatment, transportation, and disposal of sharps, pharmaceuticals, pathological waste, and chemotherapy waste. The company also offers compliance training, secure information destruction services, and sustainability solutions for healthcare providers. With a strong presence across North America and global operations, Stericycle plays a critical role in handling rising volumes of medical and hazardous waste.
Clean Harbors Inc., established in 1980 and based in Norwell, Massachusetts, USA, is one of North America’s leading providers of environmental, energy, and industrial services. Its portfolio includes hazardous and non-hazardous waste collection, treatment, and disposal, along with industrial cleaning, recycling services, emergency spill response, and used oil re-refining under its Safety-Kleen subsidiary. Operating more than 870 facilities across the U.S. and Canada, Clean Harbors serves diverse industries including healthcare and manufacturing.
Veolia Environnement S.A., with its modern iteration formed in 2003 and headquarters in Aubervilliers, France, is a global leader in water, waste, and energy services. Operating in over 50 countries, Veolia offers comprehensive waste management solutions, including hazardous and non-hazardous waste collection, recycling, treatment, and energy recovery. Its wide-ranging portfolio also includes water and wastewater management services. With 2024 revenues of approximately EUR 44.7 billion (USD 48.4 billion), Veolia employs more than 215,000 people worldwide.
SUEZ SA, headquartered in Paris, France, traces its roots back over 160 years, with its current corporate form established in 2008. The company provides extensive services in waste management and water treatment, covering collection, sorting, recycling, recovery, and infrastructure engineering. SUEZ also focuses on digital solutions and sustainable practices to support the ecological transition. Operating in around 40 countries with 40,000 employees, the company generated approximately EUR 9.2 billion (USD 9.9 billion) in revenue in 2024.
*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*
Other key players in the market include MW Healthcare Waste Solutions, Biomedical Waste Solutions LLC, BWS Inc., GIC Medical Disposal, and Bio-Serve Biotechnologies.
The market report offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Waste Type
Market Breakup by Treatment Technology
Market Breakup by Service Type
Market Breakup by Treatment Site
Market Breakup by Region
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*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
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| REPORT FEATURES | DETAILS |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Scope of the Report |
Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment:
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| Breakup by Waste Type |
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| Breakup by Treatment Technology |
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| Breakup by Service Type |
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| Breakup by Treatment Site |
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| Breakup by Region |
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| Market Dynamics |
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| Supplier Landscape |
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| Companies Covered |
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