The Physicochemical Characteristics of Recycled-Plastic Pellets Obtained from Disposable Face Mask Wastes
Keywords:
recycle, face mask, waste, pellet, plasticAbstract
The government policy to wear a face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic has
increased disposable face mask wastes. Thus, to reduce such wastes, it is necessary to evaluate the
physicochemical characteristics of disposable face masks wastes before the recycling process and
the recycled products. In this study, physicochemical characterization of the 3-ply disposable face
masks and the recycled plastic pellets after disinfection using 0.5% v/v sodium hypochlorite were
evaluated. A set of parameters including the characterization of surface morphology by a scanning
electron microscope (SEM), functional groups properties by a fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy
(FT-IR), thermal behavior by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile strength and elongation
at break were evaluated. The surface morphological of each layer 3-ply disposable face mask showed
that the layers were composed of non-woven fibers. The FT-IR evaluation revealed that 3-ply
disposable face mask was made from a polypropylene. At the same time, the DSC analysis found that
the polypropylene was in the form of homopolymer. The SEM analysis showed that the recycled plastic
pellets showed a rough and uneven surface. The FT-IR, tensile strength and elongation at break of
the recycled plastic pellets showed similarity with a virgin PP type CP442XP and a recycled PP from
secondary recycling PP (COPLAST COMPANY). In summary, recycling 3-ply disposable face mask
wastes to become plastic pellets is recommended for handling disposable face mask wastes problem.
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