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Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important, and researchers are developing new technologies and models to reduce environmental impact. The circular economy is a production and consumption model that involves sharing, borrowing, reusing, repairing, reconditioning and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. This study focuses on the concept of reuse and, specifically, how to reduce waste generated by pandemics through recycling and reusing facemasks made of polyamide fabric. Facemasks can be reused to refurbish buildings in low-income contexts. To assess the reutilization potential of recycled bulk polyamide fiber, thermal, acoustic, and fire performance properties were assessed experimentally. The results show that they are comparable to commercial insulation materials such as glass wool and mineral wool in terms of thermal conductivity, while also demonstrating good sound absorption performance at medium and high frequencies (greater thickness and density will increase the amount of insulation and sound absorption). The material’s fire performance is similar to that of other synthetic insulation materials, such as EPS. However, the performance is worse than for common organic insulation materials, such as cellulose. Finally, a lowcost, self-portable insulation panel concept designed for indoor installation was tested for material performance. Considering these properties, this solution may represent a significant opportunity to enhance thermal and acoustic comfort in vulnerable energy-poor households, bringing clear environmental benefits and positive social implications., This research was partially funded with grants from the Centre for Development Cooperation – Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya for the local cooperation project “REEhabilitant el Raval” (grants 2020-D005, 2021-K003 and 2022-C007), by the Catalan agency AGAUR through its research group support program (2021 SGR 00341), and by the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering of the University of Brescia through the MetATer PRD project. The authors would like to thank Prof. Edoardo Piana for access to the applied technical physics laboratory at the University of Brescia, and to Dr. Laia Haurie for access to the materials laboratory at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, and for their valuable advice., Peer Reviewed, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles::11.1 - Per a 2030, assegurar l’accés de totes les persones a habitatges i a serveis bàsics adequats, segurs i assequibles, i millorar els barris marginal, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles, Postprint (published version)

Referring to the circular economy model, end-of-life household materials (EoLHM) such as packaging, and clothes, could be converted into building elements – for example panels - with thermal and acoustic properties. Given the high availability almost anywhere, EoLHM represents an alternative to commercial insulating materials that, even though relatively cheap, cannot be afforded by disadvantaged people. The panels are intended for the refurbishment of existing buildings and, therefore, to be installed indoor. This paper presents a multidisciplinary analysis aimed at the characterization of polyamide 6.6 waste from the production of non surgical face masks. The analysis focuses on thermal and acoustic aspects that have determined experimentally by means of the hot plate with guard ring test, and the impedance tube technique respectively. Then, the influence of the panel position on the indoor operative temperature and the reverberation time has been analysed numerically. Results show that, from the thermal and acoustic point of view, this waste is suitable for the realization of building panels and the performance depends on the density and the thickness of the material. However, aspects such as the fire-resistance and the containment of the material need further investigation., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

Este documento tiene como objetivo investigar la posibilidad de convertir materiales domésticos al final de su vida útil (EoLHM), como ropa o embalajes, en materiales aislantes térmicos y acústicos de bajo costo para la mejora del confort térmico y acústico en edificios, especialmente para hogares vulnerables en riesgo de padecer pobreza energética. Con este propósito, se presentará una revisión de la literatura y un análisis del comportamiento acústico y térmico de diferentes EoLHM con el objetivo de identificar una solución adecuada a instalar paredes verticales interiores garantizando una mejora de las condiciones acústicas y térmicas de la vivienda. ). Desde el punto de vista acústico, el mejor compromiso entre absorción acústica y pérdida de transmisión se ha obtenido para muestras hechas de cartón, pero también se han obtenido resultados interesantes para muestras hechas con dos hueveras, especialmente en términos de pérdida de transmisión. Asimismo, se ha demostrado que las prendas de ropa de mayor densidad aseguran un mejor rendimiento acústico. Desde el punto de vista térmico, la instalación de paneles de ropa y cartón determina respectivamente una reducción de la transmitancia térmica periódica y la transmitancia térmica. Sin embargo, debido a su mayor densidad, los paneles hechos de ropa son más efectivos. El resultado más importante de esta investigación es la comprensión de que la conversión de EoLHM en materiales aislante es posible, e implica una reducción directa de la producción de residuos, con claros y evidentes beneficios ambientales y positivas implicaciones sociales., Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles::11.1 - Per a 2030, assegurar l’accés de totes les persones a habitatges i a serveis bàsics adequats, segurs i assequibles, i millorar els barris marginal, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles::11.3 - Per a 2030, augmentar la urbanització inclusiva i sostenible, així com la capacitat de planificar i gestionar de manera participativa, integrada i sostenible els assentaments humans a tots els països, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles::11.5 - Per a 2030, reduir de forma significativa el nombre de morts causades per desastres, inclosos els relacio­nats amb l’aigua, i de persones afectades per aquests, i reduir substancialment les pèrdues econòmiques directes causades per desastres relacionades amb el producte interior brut mundial, fent un èmfasi especial en la protecció de les persones pobres i de les persones en situacions de vulnerabilitat, Postprint (published version)