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Reutilization of Covid-19 Waste Mask as An Effort to Reduce Environmental Pollution

2021

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This paper examines two options for recycling COVID-19 disposable mask waste to reduce plastic pollution entering the environment. It highlights the scale of single-use mask disposal as a growing source of plastic contamination.

Background: Masks are essential personal protective equipment used as the main barrier to protect against viruses that spread through these droplets. Wearing a mask has become daily life for many people. This has led to a significant increase in the demand for disposable face masks worldwide. Mishandling of these materials threatens the environment with new forms of plastic pollution. This study aimed to describe two options for recycling COVID-19 mask waste and explain product planning using the quality function deployment method. Subjects and Method: This was a qualitative study. The study variables were reutilization of covid-19 waste mask and environmental pollution. The data were collected by in-depth interview and reported accordingly. Results: Green and highly efficient pathway for the catalysis of waste mask carbonization reported into high-value carbon nanomaterials. The pyrolysis stream generated in the first stationary reactor passed through the second reactor, filled with a catalyst bed. Without a catalyst, the masked CFP did not produce aromatic compounds but branched hydrocarbons (C8eC46). QFD the product design team plays an essential role in driving sustainability by incorporating relevant requirements early in the design process. Conclusion: Conventional QFD's limited focus on customer needs and analytical approach lacks understanding and assumes certainty in decision making. Several integrated approaches to product design have been proposed in the literature to overcome the limitations of conventional QFD in the context of creating a framework for sustainable product design.

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