Disposed PPE Could Be Turned Into Biofuel, Study Shows

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Experts from The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies have suggested a strategy that could help to mitigate the problem of dumped PPE—currently being disposed of at unprecedented levels due to the current COVID-19 pandemic—becoming a significant threat to the environment. The research shows how billions of items of disposable PPE can be converted from its polypropylene (plastic) state into biofuels—which is known to be at par with standard fossil fuels.

Lead author Dr. Sapna Jain explains that the transformation into biocrude, a type of synthetic fuel, “will not just prevent the severe after-effects to humankind and the environment but also produce a source of energy. Presently, the world is focusing to combat COVID-19, however, we can foresee the issues of economic crisis and ecological imbalance also.”

“We have to prepare ourselves to meet the challenges which are forcefully imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, so as to maintain sustainability. There is a high production and utilization of PPE to protect the community of health workers and other frontline workers of COVID-19. The disposal of PPE is a concern owing to its material i.e. non-woven polypropylene. The proposed strategy is a suggestive measure addressing the anticipated problem of disposal of PPE.”

During the current COVID-19 pandemic specifically, PPE is being designed for single use followed by disposal. Once these plastic materials are discharged into the environment they end up in landfill or oceans, as their natural degradation is difficult at ambient temperature. They need decades to decompose. Recycling these polymers requires both physical methods and chemical methods. Reduction, reuse and recycling are the three pillars of sustainable development that can help to prevent the disposal of plastic to the environment.

The research team reviewed many related research articles as they looked to explore the current policies around PPE disposal, the polypropylene content in PPE, and the feasibility of converting PPE into biofuel. In particular, they focused on the structure of polypropylene, its suitability for PPE, why it poses an environmental threat and methods of recycling this polymer.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com