Australian researchers have identified a way to reuse some of the estimated 6.8 billion disposable facemasks used daily around the world, describing a road-making material that meets civil engineering standards and contains the equivalent of 3 million shredded masks per kilometre.

“This initial study looked at the feasibility of recycling single-use face masks into roads and we were thrilled to find it not only works, but also delivers real engineering benefits,” said Dr Mohammad Saberian, lead author of the paper published in Science of the Total Environment.

The mix also includes recycled concrete aggregate. 

Thttps://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/rmit-engineers-present-a-road-to-reusing-billions-of-disposable-masks