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A Lesson from COVID-19 Pandemic: Concerns and Opportunities for Reducing Environmental Impacts Through Life Cycle Assessment Studies in the Facemask Industry

49 Pages Posted: 3 Oct 2022 Publication Status: Review Complete

See all articles by Rahaf Ajaj

Rahaf Ajaj

Abu Dhabi University

Rania Dweik

Abu Dhabi University

Shafeeq Ahmed Syed Ali

Abu Dhabi University

Mohammed Hashem Stietiya

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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Abstract

The unprecedented COVID19 pandemic has caused a socio-economic, physical, mental and environmental upheaval. Personal protective equipment such as face masks was made mandatory to curb the spread of the virus. The sudden rise in demand for face masks resulted in an alarming increase in plastic waste accumulation across the globe. This puts immense pressure on the policymakers and the global supply chain system to devise sustainable strategies to reduce the impacts of face masks. This study aims to collate and analyze the research available in the literature that evaluates the sustainability of face masks through a life cycle assessment. The hotspots in the life cycles of single-use and reusable face masks are identified. Recommendations are provided for future studies and to reduce the environmental burden. This study also provides insight into the facemask industry, and the impending environmental crisis in the form of micro-plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Suggested Citation

Ajaj, Rahaf and Dweik, Rania and Ali, Shafeeq Ahmed Syed and Stietiya, Mohammed Hashem, A Lesson from COVID-19 Pandemic: Concerns and Opportunities for Reducing Environmental Impacts Through Life Cycle Assessment Studies in the Facemask Industry. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4236804 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4236804
This version of the paper has not been formally peer reviewed.

Rahaf Ajaj (Contact Author)

Abu Dhabi University ( email )

Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Rania Dweik

Abu Dhabi University

Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Shafeeq Ahmed Syed Ali

Abu Dhabi University ( email )

Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Mohammed Hashem Stietiya

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available