Personal Protective Equipment Recycling Scenarios for the Production of Reinforced Bituminous Conglomerates

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, global personal protective equipment (PPE) volume demand increased by 300–400% between 2019 and 2021. In Italy, in 2021, an average quantity of 473 tons of masks and 958 tons of gloves were disposed of in landfills or incinerated daily. This study aims to propose and validate an innovative circular-economy-based supply chain for PPE waste, reusing waste polymeric textile fiber derived from PPE to produce reinforced bituminous conglomerates. Several studies have confirmed the value of plastic in the mixture for asphalt production to extend its useful life. Despite that, none of these studies investigated the potential of the PPE; therefore, the scenario of this study is unique in the scientific panorama. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scenario. Using end-of-life masks and gloves in the mix, improvements were observed in the asphalt in terms of indirect tensile strength, stiffness, and ductility. From an environmental point of view, a longer lifespan and less material usage lead to a reduction in long-term impacts. At the same time, the reduction in the disposal of PPE in landfills and incinerators means a significant reduction in the environmental impact of masks.