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
More...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.
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