Recycling of Personal Protective Equipment

As reported by Visual Capitalist in 2020, a staggering 52 billion disposable masks were manufactured, with 1.6 billion of them ending up in the world's oceans. Despite the relaxation and removal of mask mandates, discarded personal protective equipment (PPE) has remained a significant environmental pollutant since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. PPE items are notoriously challenging to recycle and are typically not accepted by local municipal recycling programs. This is due to understandable concerns, as they can pose biohazards, and the energy costs of the recycling process often outweigh the value of the recycled materials.

It's worth noting that cloth masks provide a more eco-friendly alternative to disposable masks. However, some companies have taken steps to offer solutions for recycling disposable masks and gloves, often with associated charges. Many PPE recycling companies do not accept materials from hospitals but do welcome contributions from schools and corporations. Notably, the University of Illinois and several other universities have reportedly joined such recycling programs.

Here is a list of companies that accept PPE for recycling:

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1) Terra Cycle

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2) Closed Recycling 

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3) Steri Cycle

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