Development of IoT-based smart recycling machine to collect the wasted non-woven fabric face mask (NFM)

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has changed the human habit worldwide since 2019. Everyone wears face mask as an important personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves away from the virus after leaving home for work, social activity or study. Epidemic-prevention might only be relaxed until the vaccine for coronavirus have developed successfully. Non-woven fabric face mask (NFM) have played the important role for public to defense from infection of coronavirus through air, NFM is commonly used because it costs with low price, light weight, disposable and easy-to-use. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the plastic materials and applied as a core mask filter and needed a lifespan of 450 years for partially degradable. Most of researchers are focusing on the new mask materials development and seldom to tackle the NFM recycling problem. This research paper aims to (1) investigate an existing disposal method of NFM; (2) conduct a feasibility study on recycling method; (3) design an IoT-based smart NFM recycling machine for collecting and sterilising the disposed NFM. Opportunities in recycling NFM will also be addressed.