# Bibliometric Analysis of Medical Waste Research Using Python-Driven Algorithm
## 4 Discussion
Numerous states have committed to international agreements such as the Minamata, Basel, and Stockholm Conventions, which focus on the responsible management of hazardous substances. At the European level, the European Union has enacted a range of regulatory instruments, including the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Waste Framework Directive, and the European Green Deal, all of which incorporate provisions related to MW. Moreover, the European Commission has advanced regional sustainability through projects such as the Green Agenda and the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, both targeting environmental enhancement. On a national scale, individual governments align with these overarching frameworks through domestic policies, legal structures, and participatory approaches, involving civil society, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in building efficient waste management systems [27]. At the 2016 Environment Ministers' Meeting held in Toyama by the Group of Seven, a policy initiative on resource efficiency was introduced, aiming to advance the sustainable use of materials and support long-term development goals [52]. The present study differs significantly in methodology and analytical approach from other bibliometric studies targeting various aspects of the MW field. This work utilized the WOS Core Collection and a Python-enhanced search strategy, retrieving 3025 relevant articles. These articles were evaluated using various analyses and tools, such as VOSviewer and Bibliometric for visualizations and data analysis. The analyses include annual publication and citation trends, country scientific production, institution scientific production using trend analysis, the most influential articles based on citation metrics, country collaboration networks, thematic evolution in MW research, collaboration mapping, trending topics and keywords using keyword co-occurrence network analysis, and thematic mapping. To more effectively underscore the originality and added value of our research, Table 4 presents a structured comparison between our study and other recent bibliometric analyses in the field of medical waste. The comparison is based on key criteria, including the database selected, the time span covered, data volume, analytical tools employed, and the depth and breadth of thematic exploration. This systematic approach highlights the distinctive analytical framework and the broader thematic reach of our study, emphasizing its capacity to bring novel contributions and deeper insights into the evolving landscape of medical waste research. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c} \hline
**Study Title/** & **Study Objectives** & **Database** & **Time Span** & **No. of Papers** & **Tools Used** & **Analytical Depth** & **Limitations** & **Ref.** \\ \hline The evolutionary path of medical waste & Mixed approach & & & & & & & & \\ multiagent research research & identifying topics that have & Web of & & & & & & & \\ insights from co-chation & gained treatment over time & Knowledge & 2000-2023 & 2156 & CheSpace & & & & \\  & and co-word & management literature & & & & & & \\ analysis/Sofor A & & & & & & & & \\ \hline Current State, & thoroughly examination of & & & & & & & \\ Development and future & The current state of & & & & & & & \\ Descriptors of Medical & scientific advancement in & & & & & & & \\ Waste Validation/ & the field of medical waste & & & & & & & \\ Chu YXL, & management investigation & & & & & & \\ \hline A systematic analysis of & & & & & & & & \\ research trends on & Analyze research trends, & & & & & & & \\ healthcare waste & growth, key contributes, & & & & & & \\ management & and focus areas in & & & & & & \\ during 1995-2022 & MW management & & & & & & & \\ Subwar M.R. & & & & & & & \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\begin{tabular}{c} A systematic analysis of \\ research trends on \\ benchmark waste \\ management \\ during 1995-2022 \\ Subwar M.R. \\ \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 4: Specific evaluation of recent bibliometric analyses in medical waste research.