Recycling of Waste Facial Masks as a Construction Material, a Step towards Sustainability

Abstract

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a sudden surge in the production and utilization of disposable, single-use facial masks has been observed. Delinquency in proposal disposal of used facial masks endangers the environment with a new form of non-biodegradable plastic waste that will take hundreds of years to break down. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the resourceful recycling of such waste in an environmentally friendly way. This study presents an efficient solution by using waste masks in fibered or crushed form to produce environmentally friendly and affordable green concrete. This investigation assessed the mechanical and durability properties of waste masks-incorporated concrete. A total of six mixes were prepared for standardized tests to determine compressive strength, split cylinder tensile strength and rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT), and freeze-thaw resistance. The percentage of mask fibers used were 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% of concrete by volume, while crushed masks were used at 0.5% only. The mask waste in both forms was found suitable to be used in concrete. One percent of waste mask fibers was found as an optimum value to increase compressive and tensile strength, reduce chloride permeability, and increase freeze-thaw resistance. Besides this, 0.5% crushed mask fiber also performed well, especially for producing less permeable and highly durable concrete. It is thus corroborated that waste masks that increase pollution worldwide can be utilized sustainably to help build green buildings. By reutilizing waste masks to produce improved concrete with better strengths and higher durability, circular economy and sustainability are achieved, along with efficient waste management.

Property assessment of an eco-friendly mortar reinforced with recycled mask fiber derived from COVID-19 single-use face masks

“…The literature reveals that most of the mask fibers were either cut up into small pieces to achieve the target length and width of mask fiber or shredded, which were extracted manually [ 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 ] or mechanically [ 14 , 15 , 18 ]. Indeed, the mask extraction process using scissors, a paper cutting machine, or a paper shredder to get the bulk quantity of mask fiber from the waste mask is not an effective technique and is time-consuming.…”

“…Clearly, this urgent issue must be resolved by properly handling the waste face masks to limit their impact on the environment. To this end, a few researchers have utilized used face masks as mask fiber (MF), plastic-based isolation gowns, and nitrile gloves, in fat clay [ 11 , 12 ], in pavement [ 13 , 14 ], and in cement-based materials [ 6 , 7 , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] ].…”

Effective recycling of disposable medical face masks for sustainable green concrete via a new fiber hybridization technique

“…The current practices for disposing of these wastes include landfilling and incineration, which may not be the most effective solutions in terms of environmental and public health safety concerns [20] , [21] . In contrast, the use of waste DMFMs as reinforcing fiber in construction materials is an effective and eco-friendly approach to resolving the global challenge of waste face mask disposal [22] , [23] . Face masks are commonly made of polypropylene (PP) fiber material that can be used as reinforcement material in concrete [24] .…”

Preparasi dan Karakteristik Lembaran Plastik Limbah Masker Berdasarkan Variasi Lapisan Luar, Tengah, dan Dalam

“…Sebagai contoh pengelolaan limbah masker bekas menjadi bahan produk interior [11]. Penelitian lainnya adalah daur ulang limbah masker wajah sebagai bahan konstruksi [12] dan penelitian mengenai kemungkinan mendaur ulang masker filter sekali pakai secara mekanis [13].…”