Compostable, Recyclable Pandemic Gear Needed

With the growing use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, the Canadian government has asked the private sector to develop compostable masks and recycling technologies for single-use PPE, so they won’t land up in landfills.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has launched two business challenges to small and medium sized Canadian companies. The first challenge is for efficient and cost effective technologies that recycling PPE waste that may contain traces of bacteria or viruses into materials that can further be used in manufactured products. The second challenge is around compostable surgical masks and respirators that could be mass-produced and used by health care workers.

Companies accepted into the program could receive up to $300,000 in government funding to develop proof-of-concept, or up to $1 million to develop a working prototype.

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