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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Amount of Plastic Waste and Alternative Materials in the Context of the Circular Economy
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This study examined biodegradable alternatives to polypropylene for personal protective equipment like face masks, which generated enormous amounts of plastic waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers tested a biodegradable nonwoven fabric and confirmed it was not toxic to cells and could break down over time. The work addresses the growing concern that discarded masks and PPE are a significant source of microplastic pollution in the environment.
The COVID-19 pandemic was first reported on 31 December 2019, in Wuhan. Since then, the rapid spread of the virus has directly impacted various aspects of people’s lives, including culture, society, education, and the economy. The environment has also been affected, as the disposal of thousands of tons of single-use personal protective equipment has resulted in a significant increase in waste. The challenge was to create environmentally friendly materials for personal protective equipment. One of the alternatives to polypropylene materials is a biodegradable nonwoven produced using spun-bonded technology. The article discusses various physical and mechanical parameters, the biodegradation process, and the distribution of molar masses during the weeks of nonwoven biodegradation. Additionally, the paper presents the results of in vitro cytotoxicity tests conducted on the material. Biodegradable materials are a viable solution to the challenges posed by a circular economy.
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Post-COVID-19: An Opportunity to Produce Biodegradable Goods & Surgical Masks to Save the Environment
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This study argued that the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to transition from conventional polypropylene surgical masks and single-use plastics toward biodegradable alternatives as part of a broader shift to circular economy principles. The authors highlighted the compounding effect of pandemic-related plastic waste on microplastic pollution in marine and terrestrial environments.
Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability
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This review examines the materials, manufacturing methods, and effectiveness of face masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of which are made from non-biodegradable plastics like polypropylene and polyester. Researchers found that while masks are effective at reducing virus transmission, their widespread use and improper disposal have created a significant environmental concern as they break down into microplastics. The study calls for more sustainable mask materials and better waste management strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of pandemic-related plastic waste.
Degradation of plastics associated with the COVID-19 pandemic
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This review examines how personal protective equipment from the COVID-19 pandemic degrades in the environment and becomes a source of microplastic pollution. Researchers found that face masks, primarily made of polypropylene, break down into microfibers relatively quickly when exposed to weathering. The study highlights that pandemic-related plastic waste represents a new and significant category of environmental microplastic contamination.
Potential Microplastic Threat: Environmental Assessment of The Face Mask Pollution
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Researchers assessed the environmental threat posed by face masks discarded during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that masks contain polypropylene fibers that can fragment into microplastics and persist in the environment. The study calls for better mask disposal strategies and environmental monitoring to track mask-derived microplastic pollution.
Plastic accumulation during COVID-19: call for another pandemic; bioplastic a step towards this challenge?
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Researchers reviewed the surge in single-use plastic waste driven by COVID-19 personal protective equipment and evaluated bioplastics as an alternative, concluding that while bioplastics have limitations, transitioning toward them alongside circular economy waste management and policy intervention is essential to prevent plastic pollution from compounding pandemic-era environmental pressures.
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