Disposable Medical (Isolation) Gowns and Waste Coffee Filters as New Sources of Eco-Friendly Thermal Insulation and Sound Absorption Materials for Buildings

A large amount of discarded isolation medical gowns and wasted coffee filters end up in landfills, creating an environmental problem . In this study, we introduce a novel approach to repurpose such waste by utilizing it to produce insulation materials with excellent acoustic properties. Loose, bound, and hybrid composite boards were prepared from discarded gowns and filters . The bound and hybrid boards were made using wood adhesive resin binders. All necessary tests , including measurements of thermal conductivity, sound absorption, noise reduction coefficients, thermal stability, mechanical properties, surface morphology, and moisture content of the raw materials, were reported. Results showed that the thermal conductivity ranges from 0.038 to 0.070 W/m·K. The sound absorption coefficient exceeds 0.4 for all composite boards at frequencies above 500 Hz, and the noise reduction coefficient is greater than 0.4. The flexural modulus of the bound boards ranges from 0.28 to 1.6 MPa. The composites are thermally stable between 298°C and 354°C. The moisture content is 0.5% for loose gowns and 4% for coffee filters. These results suggest that the developed composites could be used for thermal insulation and sound absorption in buildings, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based materials and contributes to environmental preservation.

Valorization of waste-to-product transformation.
Disposable medical isolation gowns and waste coffee filters as new insulation materials for heat and sound.
Loose, bound, and hybrid boards are developed using wood adhesive (polyvinyl acetate PVA) as a resin.
The developed board materials have a conductivity coefficient of 0.038–0.070 W/m·K.
The sound absorption coefficient is greater than 0.4 for all bound and hybrid boards for frequency >500 Hz.
The flexure modulus of all composite boards is in the range of 0.28–1.6 MPa.
The developed boards have a thermally stable range of 298–354°C.
The loose gowns and the coffee filters’ moisture content are 0.5% and 4%, respectively.

Valorization of waste-to-product transformation.
Disposable medical isolation gowns and waste coffee filters as new insulation materials for heat and sound.
Loose, bound, and hybrid boards are developed using wood adhesive (polyvinyl acetate PVA) as a resin.
The developed board materials have a conductivity coefficient of 0.038–0.070 W/m·K.
The sound absorption coefficient is greater than 0.4 for all bound and hybrid boards for frequency >500 Hz.
The flexure modulus of all composite boards is in the range of 0.28–1.6 MPa.
The developed boards have a thermally stable range of 298–354°C.
The loose gowns and the coffee filters’ moisture content are 0.5% and 4%, respectively.