Recycling Healthcare PPE waste into High Value Architectural Products

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With COVID-19 an almost distant memory, our increased utilisation of single use plastic PPE will continue to have a significant impact on the NHS and environment for years to come. The NHS expects to spend £319m on the storage and disposal of PPE which is no longer needed as a result of the pandemic. Additionally, the NHS distributes around 5000 tonnes of single use PPE each year, costing them up to £2.1m per year on waste disposal.By preventing these waste streams from reaching landfill or incineration, we will actively and effectively reduce the impact that these materials have on the environment and economy. With less money spent on waste management, less CO2 emitted into the atmosphere and less energy expended by using sustainable, recycled material as a resource in the manufacturing of new products.It is our aim to create new uses for these materials, specifically in architectural contexts - where we can extend the lifecycle of the material from <1 year to a minimum of 15-20 years. By designing and implementing the circular business process for this material to exist within, we look to provide the UK with a range of sustainable alternative construction and architectural products.