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Managing Disposable Face Mask Waste as Circular Economy Products through Life Cycle Assessment

Siwapa Sirijamorn, Danai Bawornkiatikul, Rotruedee Chotigawin, Torpong Kreetachat, Surachai Wongcharee, Siriuma Jawjit, Kowit Suwannahong

Abstract


The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a surge of disposable facemask waste, posing significant health and environmental risks. This study aims to recycle disposable facemask waste into reusable materials using Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic (PCR) within a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework. The process involves sorting, collecting, and sterilizing the masks through the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP). The sterilized material is then processed into PCR pellets, which can be used to produce polypropylene plastic flakes. The findings indicate that disposable facemask waste can be effectively sterilized using AOP (Advanced oxidation Process) and converted into PCR through extrusion. The Life Cycle Inventory Assessment (LCA) identified Human Non-Carcinogenic Toxicity (HNCT) as the most significant environmental impact, amounting to 65.04705 tons of 1,4-DCB. Additionally, PCR production emits 22.3297 tons of CO₂ equivalent, with an Eco-Efficiency assessment of 0.9906 tons of product per ton of raw material. This approach supports sustainable waste management practices and introduces a circular economy business model for repurposing disposable facemasks.

 

Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2025-06-01-011

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Keywords


Disposable Face Mask Waste (DFM); Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic (PCR); Eco-Efficiency.

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DOI: 10.28991/HEF-2025-06-01-011

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