Plastic from used personal protective equipment (PPE) can, and should, be transformed into renewable liquid fuels, according to a new study.

Experts from The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies have suggested a strategy that could help to mitigate the problem of dumped PPE — currently being disposed of at unprecedented levels due to the current COVID-19 pandemic — becoming a significant threat to the environment.

Out today, the research show how billions of items of disposable PPE can be converted from its polypropylene (plastic) state into biofuels — which is known to be at par with standard fossil fuels.

Lead author Dr Sapna Jain explains that the transformation into biocrude, a type of synthetic fuel, «will not just prevent the severe after-effects to humankind and the environment but also produce a source of energy.»

«Presently, the world is focusing to combat COVID-19, however, we can foresee the issues of economic crisis and ecological imbalance also,» she explains.

«We have to prepare ourselves to meet the challenges which are forcefully imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, so as to maintain sustainability.

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