We are participating in a project for Recycling of Rapid Antigen LFIA Tests (COVID-19) (acronym: LFIA-REC) together with partners: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Maribor (project coordinator), UKC Maribor, IMT Ljubljana, FTPO Slovenj Gradec, Surovina d.o.o. Maribor, and Plastika Skaza d.o.o.
The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in huge amounts of waste from single-use medical devices, including rapid tests that work on the basis of nanogold. In the project, we will recycle rapid tests and separate individual high-quality components (gold, plastic) and use them as a secondary resource. The content of the project follows the long-term goal of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, which includes reducing waste disposal in landfills and increasing the reuse and recycling of waste.
Project goal: To develop a process and innovative technology for dismantling and recycling rapid tests to high-quality secondary raw materials (gold and plastic) for independent processing or inclusion into new products.
Project duration: 1st October 2022 – 30th April 2024
Project leader: izr. prof. dr. Rebeka Rudolf