Key ingredients and recycling strategy of personal protective equipment (PPE): Towards sustainable solution for the COVID-19 like pandemics

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the complications of plastic trash management and disposal. The current situation of living in fear of transmission of the COVID-19 virus has further transformed our behavioural models, such as regularly using personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and single-use applications for day to day needs etc. It has been estimated that with the passage of the coronavirus epidemic every month, there is expected use of 200 billion pieces of single-use facemasks and gloves. PPE are well established now as life-saving items for medicinal specialists to stay safe through the COVID-19 pandemic. Different processes such as glycolysis, hydrogenation, aminolysis, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, and gasification are now working on finding advanced technologies to transfer waste PPE into value-added products. Here, in this article, we have discussed the recycling strategies of PPE, important components (such as medical gloves, gowns, masks & respirators and other face and eye protection) and the raw materials used in PPE kits. Further, the value addition methods to recycling the PPE kits, chemical & apparatus used in recycling and recycling components into value-added products. Finally, the biorenewable materials in PPE for textiles components have been discussed along with concluded remarks.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in coastal environment, Southeast Coast of India

“…We also need an urgent and coordinated engagement to circular economy approaches, especially PPE recycling policies and practices. Various methods such as glycolysis, aminolysis, hydrogenation, hydrolysis, gasification and pyrolysis are now focusing on seeking advanced technologies to convert litter PPE into value-added products ( Siwal et al, 2021 ). Recent studies show that pyrolysis of PPE litter related to COVID-19 is the most effective method and environmentally friendly solution with large application potential ( Aragaw and Mekonnen, 2021 ; Mekonnen and Aragaw, 2021 ).…”

Face Mask Wastes as Cementitious Materials: A Possible Solution to a Big Concern

“…This constitutes a big problem related to health for different living beings, including humans and the environment as a whole [12]. Thus, some voices are claiming that the circular economy principle should guide policy making for the management of medical waste and, specifically, single-use face masks [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. A life cycle analysis of single-use and reusable face masks can be found in [20].…”

Lessons from the frontline: Documenting the pandemic emergency care experience from the Pacific region – Infrastructure and equipment

“…PICT HCWs frequently clean and re-use ‘single use’ items, so the concept of cleaning and reusing is not new; in fact this may be a creative environmental solution requiring further research in view of the increasing environmental disaster of health waste. 34 …”