University of Wisconsin-Madison
Since 1892 dailycardinal.com
Thursday, March 3, 2022
l
IJTTN: Dolphins +Science, page 7
Gentle Reminder +Life&Style, page 6
UW group seeks to recycle masks By Beth Shoop STAFF WRITER
The University of WisconsinMadison community has probably never noticed the TerraCycle Disposable Masks branded “Zero Waste Boxes” placed on campus for proper disposal of face masks. This is likely because these boxes could only be found in one place — The lobby of Engineering Hall. “TerraCycle uses a process called downcycling where they take the masks and they’ll make things like asphalt, plastic traffic cones or some lower grade material from the face mask,” UW-Madison Professor and Director of Chemical Upcycling of Waste Plastics, George Huber said. “So, the plastic doesn’t go back to the original face mask, but they down cycle them to lower quality materials. Each TerraCycle box includes signage, a built-in liner, shipping and, finally, processing of the recycled masks after the box is filled completely. Each Zero Waste Box retails for upwards of $86. Huber believes that there’s a better way. A team of researchers at the UW-Madison developed a process that recycles disposable masks into new plastic goods — not just lesser materials. Given the increased use of disposable masks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, practices on how to properly dispose of them — such as the research at UW-Madison — have emerged amid concerns about them ending up in landfills or littered, and neg-
atively affecting the environment. This new recycling approach, a solvent-targeted recovery and precipitation (STRAP) process, began under the direction of Huber. Huber noted that the university is “a global leader in plastic recycling.” “We’re working with more than 17 different companies and the whole plastic value chain from plastic manufacturers, to plastic processors, to brand owners, to develop innovative technology,” emphasized Huber. The process utilizes disposable masks and other plastics, grinds them into a fine powder and pulls out the polypropylene in order to create new plastic goods. While the process has been established, the research is not yet available for widespread use. Moving from a small scale process to a larger, commercial one is a goal for the near future, Huber said. The study began 18 months ago, and the focus has since evolved with the addition of postdoctoral researcher Dr. Jiuling Yu to the group. Originally focusing on multilayer plastic film, the research shifted due to the surge in production, use and disposal of face masks, said Yu. After learning about the TerraCycle Zero Waste Box located on campus, Huber explained the STRAP technology to the UW-Madison College of Engineering Director of Safety, Jesse Decker, the individual who purchased the mask collection box
for Engineering Hall. Huber asked if he and his team could use the masks to continue their research in the mask division instead of returning the masks back to TerraCycle. Decker agreed, and the mask division of the research project began its work. However, the box was removed shortly after Huber acquired the masks for the STRAP project for reasons relating to cost and lack of use. With this unfortunate turn of events, Huber described frustrations with the cost of recycling. “We shouldn’t have to pay money to recycle our stuff. There should be more economical ways to do this,” Huber emphasized. “I think with the technology we’re developing, potentially in the future we could actually start paying people to give us their used face masks and make other products from them.” Associated Students of Madison Sustainability Chair Ashley Cheung had similar views regarding proper disposal of masks around campus. “If we were to put mask collection boxes in campus buildings similar to how we have recycling, they would have to be as common as trash and recycling cans are, otherwise people would not naturally think to use them,” Cheung said. Both Huber and Cheung added that it is not financially feasible to place and maintain the boxes on campus. Huber, Cheung and Yu all
agree that educating people around campus and in the greater Madison community about the importance and ease of recycling masks and other plastics is needed to see change. “If regular people aren’t taught how to use categorical waste disposal systems, environmentallyfriendly disposal will not happen,” Cheung said about the university
In addition to this, Huber expressed the importance of avoiding false information when discussing education about recycling practices, noting that proper education was “super” important. Although the research is still operating at a smaller-scale, Huber and the research team is looking to expand in the near future. “Our group is collaborating
COURTESY OF DRAKE WHITE-BERGEY/THE DAILY CARDINAL
A UW-Madison research group is looking into alternative mask recycling methods. specifically. “It is up to the university to decide (to educate) its community members on environmentally-friendly mask disposal.” Yu highlighted the importance of potential outreach methods to promote proper mask disposal. “[Creating] simple flow charts that could be used to express which parts of popular and common plastic waste can be recycled so you know which ones you can dispose of,” Yu emphasized.
with another group in Michigan Technological University to develop a pilot-scale STRAP system,” Yu said. “Once it finishes, it could be applied on many types of plastic wastes.” Ultimately, the goal, according to Huber, is to have the project completely operational by the end of the year. “[It] will allow us to transform the plastic industry and make it more sustainable,” Huber said.
Madison bakeries ramp up to raise money for Ukraine By Nadia Tijan STAFF WRITER
Madison bakeries Bloom Bake Shop and Bayk are selling Ukrainian pastries to raise money for relief funds for Ukraine. Their contributions are a part of efforts in the Madison community and countries around the globe to support Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Bloom Bake Shop on Monroe Street is baking the traditional Jewish pastry “hamantaschen” after bakers around the world joined in a movement called “Hamantaschen for Ukraine.” The bakery is donating 70% of the proceed to Polish Humanitarian Action, a group assisting refugees at the Polish border with food and medical care. “I feel like as a being that cares about other beings, I think it’s impossible for it not to impact me and others. I don’t think I’m alone in my feel-
PHOTO BY NELSON LU
Bloom Bake Shop is selling hamantaschen to raise money for the Ukraine crisis.
ings,” said Bloom Bake Shop owner Annemarie Maitri. The pastry will be sold for $2.50 from March 4-17. The bakery’s hamantaschen are hand-made in the bakery and usually have a fruit filling like raspberry or apricot. “I hope we can make more than we can handle because that means we are really impacting people,” Maitri said. “If we sell around 3,000, that’s around $5,600.” Maitri has shifted the bakery’s production schedule to prioritize raising funds for Ukraine. Despite the scale of the conflict, Maitri feels obligated to support the people of Ukraine. “We have to collectively feel that we can make a difference,” Maitri said. Madison’s small-batch artisan babka bakery Bayk is also donating to Ukrainian relief funds. Forty percent of proceeds from
sales of its apricot pistachio crumble babka is going to José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen. Bayk specializes in a babka common throughout Eastern Europe, including Ukraine. A typical Ukrainian babka would be filled with nuts, “probably hazelnuts or walnuts,” or a mix of dried fruits and nuts, says Susan Kay of Bayk. There are many other options for Madison residents who want to learn more about Ukraine’s culture through cuisine. Schnitzel is sold at Adamah Neighborhood Table, Essen Haus and Heritage Tavern while potato pancakes can be found at the Dairyland Family Restaurant, Pancake Cafe and Stalzy’s Deli. Borscht, the Ukrainian national dish, is a featured seasonal soup at Stalzy’s Deli. Intermarket, located on 5317 Old Middleton Road, carries an assortment of Eastern European groceries.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”