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

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how to recycle FFP2 face masks used during Covid-19 pandemic without using previous sorting process and to characterize the properties of the material obtained. The way of splitting and processing the mixture of materials was studied as well as the final properties such as chemical, thermal and mechanical characteristics. The resulting recycled material is a blend of polymers with such mechanical and thermal properties that could be used as an alternative to recycled PP (polypropylene). Avoidance of previous sorting process gives the face mask recycling a new and simplified way of preventing this material to be disposed in environment and an opportunity of second life for the polymers they are made of. With this work we lay the basis to reduce the plastic pollution related with the recommended use of face masks during Covid-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Covid-19; Face mask; Polypropylene; Recycling; Waste recovery.

Fig. 1

Face masks used for analysis of polymer composition

Fig. 2

Mechanical recycling process

Fig. 3

Example of mask composition

Fig. 4

ATR-FTIR spectra of face mask layers of a Nmask-1, b Umask-2 and c Umask-3

Fig. 5

Samples and products obtained with recycled material

Fig. 6

ATR-FTIR spectra of face mask material, samples prepared for mechanical testing

Fig. 7

DSC analysis of blended material

Fig. 8

Mechanical properties

Fig. 9

Stress–strain curves