Towards environmentally sustainable management: A review on the generation, degradation, and recycling of polypropylene face mask waste

There has been a considerable increase in the use of face masks in the past years. Managing face mask waste has become a global concern, as the current waste management system is insufficient to deal with such a large quantity of solid waste. The drastic increase in quantity, along with the material's inability to degrade plastic components such as polypropylene, has led to a large accumulation of plastic waste, causing a series of environmental and ecological challenges. In addition, the growing use also imposes pressure on waste management methods such as landfill and incineration, raising concerns about high energy consumption, low value-added utilization, and the release of additional pollutants during the process. This article initially reviews the impact of mask-related plastic waste generation and degradation behavior in the natural environment. It then provides an overview of various recently developed methods for recycling face mask plastic waste. The article also offers forward-looking strategies and recommendations on face mask plastic waste management. The review aims to provide guidance on harnessing the complexities of mask waste and other medical plastic pollution issues, as well as improving the current waste management system's deficiencies and inefficiencies in tackling the growing plastic waste problem.

Automated summary

There has been a significant increase in the usage of face masks, leading to concerns about managing their waste. The accumulation of non-degradable plastic waste from masks has caused environmental and ecological challenges, putting pressure on waste management methods. This article reviews the impact of mask-related plastic waste, discusses recycling methods, and offers forward-looking strategies for managing mask waste and improving current waste management systems.