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Facemask waste converted

successfully into

road-making materials

Researchers have successfully converted the base layers of roads and pavements.
facemask waste into new road-making material at
RMIT University. The civil engineering tools used a Roads are made of four layers: subgrade, base,
mixture of shredded single-use face masks and sub-base, and asphalt on top. All the layers must be
processed building rubble to create road-making strong and flexible to withstand heavy vehicles'
material. pressures and prevent cracking. Processed building
rubble – known as recycled concrete aggregate
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has (RCA) – can potentially be used on its own for the
increased dramatically during the COVID-19 three base layers. But the researchers found adding
pandemic, with an estimated 6.8 billion disposable shredded face masks to RCA enhances the material
face masks being used across the globe each day. while simultaneously addressing environmental
challenges on two fronts: PPE disposal and
The study shows that using the recycled face mask
EcoTool could be the next material to make just one kilometer of a two-lane construction waste.
road would use up about 3 million masks, preventing
93 tonnes of waste from going to landfill. The analy-
The innovative method to convert the facemask
professional tool to measure your sis shows the face masks help add stiffness and waste into roads could be adopted worldwide to
tackle pollution in a green and professional way.
strength to the final product, designed to be used for
carbon footprint in textiles

ECOTOOL is a digital tool available for Professional Textile Care companies for measuring sustainability Glove with proven Swedish performance wear and training equipment brand Casall Sport
has collaborated with Polygiene to develop and launch a 'completely
according to international best practices. With ECOTOOL, the laundry managers will have a complete life cycle unique' training glove treated with Polygiene ViralOff technology. The
analysis (LCA) tool of textile products and you will be able to quantify the sustainability of the textile for its entire protection against treatment has reduced the SARS-CoV-2 virus by over 99% within 2
lifetime. This way, you will be able to benchmark your current operation with another type of textiles or hours on treated materials in an ISO18184:2019 test.
machinery and with OPL/domestic laundry setups. SARS-CoV-2 virus
Casall Exercise glove Polygiene ViralOff has been launched on January
Among the benefits provided by ECOTOOL is benchmark your operation with several processes (e.g. 26 and sold on Casall.com, in Casall's concept stores, and at selected
differences between laundry machinery) and some standard products like Workwear industry, Roller towel, retailers globally. Nanna Hedlund, CEO of Casall Sport, said, "Wearing a
Uniform health care, Bedsheet health care, Residential care garments, underwear, shirt, Towel (100% cotton, full coverage training glove at the gym can in itself be an effective way to
80/20 cotton / PET, and with recycled cotton), etc. refrain from touching your face. Also, the ViralOff treatment ensures that
any viruses on the gloves are eliminated before each new use. The glove
Through ECOTOOL, you will know exactly what your company’s eco-footprint is through the complete supply is designed for a training environment but can, of course, be used in
chain based on the following KPI’s: CO2 emission, the primary energy content of a product, water other everyday situations."
consumption, consumption of chemicals, land use, and mass balance.
Ulrika Bjork, CEO of Polygiene, said, "With Polygiene ViralOff, we can
Therefore, the utilization of such tools could be beneficial for the brands known for their sustainability efforts protect surfaces from viruses and create added value for the treated
and for consumers to know the exact amount of environmental impact they could reduce by selecting product. The fact that the product in principle does not need to be
sustainable options. washed will also last significantly longer."

January/February 2021 January/February 2021