Pavements plan to recycle used masks in Bahrain

Pavements plan to recycle used masks in Bahrain

Disposable face masks could be used in the construction of pavement bases and sub-bases if a new proposal is accepted. Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi, who is spearheading the move, revealed that around one million single-use masks are being dumped every day in Bahrain. With proper treatment, the pandemic-generated waste could be put to better use rather than being dumped or incinerated. The material most commonly used to make non-woven fabric masks is polypropylene – a type of fabric made from a “thermoplastic” polymer (meaning that it’s easy to work with and shape at high temperatures). Blue masks can also be made of polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or polyester – all of which are types of fabrics derived from thermoplastic polymers. A study by the RMIT University in Australia found that using recycled face mask material to make just 1km of a two-lane road would use up about three million masks, preventing 93 tonnes of waste from going to landfill. The new road-making material developed by the university researchers – a mix of shredded single-use face masks and processed building rubble – met civil engineering safety standards. Analysis shows that the face masks help to add stiffness and strength