Concrete using polypropylene fibers from COVID-19 single-use face masks

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant pollution due to the rapid increase in the consumption and disposal of face masks. These nonbiodegradable mask wastes pose a considerable threat to the environment, ecology, and public health. Converting mask wastes into valuable construction materials for application in concrete is a solution to address the crisis of plastic pollution related to the pandemic. This chapter reviews in detail the currently available research published on the effect of mask wastes on the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete. It was found that the dimension, dosage, and form of the mask wastes have significant effects on the properties of concrete. Based on the knowledge summarized in this chapter, it is reasonable to suggest that mask wastes, in the form of fibers and strips, could be utilized as a potentially sustainable and valuable building material in concrete.