In 2022, RMIT tested shredded masks, rubber gloves and isolation gowns in concrete; gloves raised strength by up to 22% and masks by up to 17%

RMIT University researchers discovered shredded personal protective equipment strengthens concrete. Rubber gloves increased concrete strength by twenty-two percent in early studies. Face masks also boosted compressive strength by up to seventeen percent. This innovation offers a circular economy solution for discarded healthcare waste. The findings could lead to stronger building materials and reduced landfill.