In 2021, RMIT tested shredded face masks with recycled concrete for road bases; 1 kilometer could use 3 million masks and divert 93 tonnes from landfill

Engineers from Australia have introduced an innovative strategy for converting used face masks into construction materials for roads. This forward-thinking approach aims to tackle the substantial landfill waste created by disposable masks during the pandemic, with a single kilometer of pavement needing nearly three million masks. Nonetheless, ongoing research is critical to develop safe processes for collecting and cleaning these masks on a larger scale.