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Recycling of Polymer Components From Waste Face Masks for Asphalt Modification: A Mini Review
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Polymer components recovered from waste face masks (a major source of plastic waste since the COVID-19 pandemic) were recycled and incorporated into new materials. The study supports developing circular recycling pathways for the large volume of disposable mask plastic that otherwise risks fragmenting into microplastics.
ABSTRACT The COVID‐19 pandemic greatly increased plastic waste through widespread personal protective equipment (PPE) use, creating a serious environmental challenge. Disposable face masks (FM), primarily composed of non‐biodegradable polypropylene, account for an estimated 86 million units discarded monthly, leading to significant environmental contamination. Improper disposal results in their accumulation in landfills and water systems, increasing microplastic pollution. Their polymeric composition makes incineration and landfilling unsustainable, highlighting the need for alternative recycling methods. Recent studies highlight the potential of waste face masks (WFM) in asphalt pavements, leveraging their polymeric properties to enhance bitumen. WFM modified bitumen improves rutting resistance, stiffness, high‐temperature performance, and thermal stability, and additionally enhances adhesion between aggregates and binder in asphalt mixtures. However, challenges such as reduced ductility, fatigue cracking, and low‐temperature flexibility require optimization of WFM dosage and the incorporation of additives. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of existing research on WFM utilization in asphalt modification, highlighting both the potential benefits and associated challenges, as well as future perspectives. By addressing these challenges, WFM modified asphalt can emerge as a viable, eco‐friendly alternative that aligns with circular economy principles, offering a sustainable solution to plastic waste management while extending the lifespan and resilience of road infrastructure.
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Repurposing the disposable face masks in hot mix asphalt: Enhancing pavement performance and addressing plastic waste pollution
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Researchers investigated repurposing shredded single-use polypropylene face masks as an additive in hot mix asphalt, evaluating improvements to mechanical performance of the pavement while simultaneously addressing the surge in disposable mask waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Safe Collection Process of Covid-19 Disposable Face Masks for the Applications in Asphalt Pavements
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This study developed a theoretical collection and processing pathway for disposable COVID-19 face masks to enable their use as a material in asphalt pavement. The pandemic generated massive quantities of mask waste, which contains polypropylene microplastics; the proposed approach offers a way to divert this waste from landfills while making use of its material properties.
Advanced Recycling of Modified EDPM Rubber in Bituminous Asphalt Paving
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Researchers explored recycling discarded COVID-19 surgical masks by incorporating them into bituminous asphalt for road pavement. Testing showed the mask material, made from modified rubber and polypropylene, could be blended into asphalt base courses without compromising structural performance, offering a potential circular-economy approach to managing pandemic plastic waste.
Study of Recycling Potential of FFP2 Face Masks and Characterization of the Plastic Mix-Material Obtained. A Way of Reducing Waste in Times of Covid-19
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Researchers showed that FFP2 face masks can be mechanically recycled without pre-sorting their composite materials, producing a polymer blend with thermal and mechanical properties comparable to recycled polypropylene — offering a practical route to divert pandemic mask waste from the environment.
Evaluating the cost of collection, processing, and application of face masks in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements
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Researchers calculated the full costs of collecting, shredding, and incorporating waste COVID-19 face masks into road asphalt, finding that while initial costs are similar to conventional pavement for shorter roads, mask-modified asphalt saves about 29% in maintenance costs over a 40-year lifespan due to improved durability.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.