Production of a Wood–Plastic Composite with Wastes from Disposable Masks and Corrugated Cardboard: A Sustainable Post-Pandemic Approach

Anderson Ravik dos Santos, Rivelino Neri Silva, Nayara Mendes dos Santos, Mariana Fernandes Costa Vieira, Patrícia Santiago de Oliveira Patrício () and Wanna Carvalho Fontes ()
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Anderson Ravik dos Santos: Department of Civil Engineering, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
Rivelino Neri Silva: Department of Civil Engineering, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
Nayara Mendes dos Santos: Department of Civil Engineering, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
Mariana Fernandes Costa Vieira: Department of Civil Engineering, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
Patrícia Santiago de Oliveira Patrício: IntechLab Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG), Belo Horizonte 30510-000, Brazil
Wanna Carvalho Fontes: Department of Urban Engineering, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-13

Abstract: The increasing demand for disposable textile products, personal care items, and electronic commerce has led to a substantial rise in waste generation, particularly from nonwoven fabric masks (wNWFs) and corrugated cardboard (wCC). This study assessed the feasibility of utilizing these waste materials, which were produced in significant amounts during the COVID-19 pandemic, as both a matrix and reinforcement filler in wood–plastic composites (WPCs). The WPC was fabricated using either two extrusion cycles or thermokinetic homogenization, with both processes being followed by hot pressing. The formulations consisted of virgin polypropylene (vPP), wNWF, and wCC in proportions of 45, 45, and 10 wt %, respectively. The results demonstrated that the composites produced via two extrusion cycles exhibited a tensile strength that was 85% higher and three-point flexural strength three times greater than those produced through thermokinetic homogenization. These findings contribute to advancements in scientific and technological knowledge and offer an efficient solution for managing these types of waste, which continue to be generated post-pandemic.

Keywords: wood–plastic composite; corrugated cardboard; nonwoven fabric mask; polypropylene; polymer composite; waste management; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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