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Billions of masks have been dumped since the pandemic. Researchers believe they could be a valuable tech tool
Disposable face masks could be broken down and turned into components for your smart phone or LED lights, in a new technique developed by researchers.
The process, developed by the University of Southern Queensland and academics in China, turns single-use masks into a film capable of cooling electronic devices.
It is hoped the recycled product could be a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to other materials commonly used to keep devices from overheating, such as polymers, metals or graphite.
More than 950 billion masks — equivalent to about 3.8 million tonnes — have been discarded since the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Pingan Song from the University of Southern Queensland said.
Most face masks end up incinerated or in landfill, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose.
"That eventually causes pollution to waters, soil and agriculture production," Professor Song said.
"But if you incinerate it, the face masks can generate toxic gases that cause air pollution."
Professor Song said the new technique could recycle almost all components of a disposable face mask to create materials for smartphones, LEDs and other electronic devices.
The masks are washed and dried, applied with a graphene solution, and pressed on a hot plate.
The study, published in Nano-Micro Letters, found the resulting regenerated nanocomposite film had metal-like electromagnetic shielding and thermal conductivity properties.
Researchers propose the film could be used to effectively isolate electromagnetic radiation and reduce signal interference in electronics.
Professor Song said the technique was affordable and could be replicated in larger quantities with the right equipment.
"It can generate significant profit margins," he said.
"As long as recycling companies are interested, I think we should be able to commercialise this technology in one or two years."
Peter Halley, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Queensland, said upcycling projects are both economically worthwhile and a step towards reducing landfill.
"You're taking a waste product and turning it into something with a higher value."
He said reducing plastic waste would require "a whole lot of different types of solutions, like this one".
Julie McLellan, CEO of Queensland's natural resources management body Healthy Land and Water, said any effort to keep waste out of landfill by recycling was a positive.
"It not only reduces pollution and protects our beautiful landscapes and communities, but there are a whole host of reasons that make putting more focus on recycling a win-win," Ms McLellan said.
"It reduces landfill as well as conserves resources to make new items, saves energy, cuts greenhouse gasses and supports the circular economy."
Under current waste management, polypropylene masks are not accepted by most recycling plants and go into general waste.
Professor Song is advocating for governments to implement the technology to reduce the number of face masks in dumps.
"At the moment we don't have a proper management solution," Professor Song said.
"The government has a role to play because most of the public isn't aware of the issues.
"We use [face masks] everyday, particularly in hospitals, laboratories and some other healthcare settings, but after each use we just throw them away.
"It would be great if the government can engage with this upcycling."
Queensland's Environment and Science Minister Andrew Powell said the government was "working with industry and local government to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill".
