• Haydar, Aygun
• Gomez-Agustina, Luis
• Mundula, S.

Abstract

Human and non-human subjects are exposed to micro plastics through drink, food, and air. Micro-plasticspropagatingthroughatmospherearebreathableparticlesduringinhalationandexhalationleadingtodeposition of them in the deep lung via the alveoli of the lungs. Teabags are made of plastics that are notrecyclable and biodegradable. Therefore, we intend to remove used teabags from the natural environmentby repurposing them to make sound attenuating panels for building and architectural industries, contributingin this way to a sustainable circular economy. The panels were designed and developed from consumedteabags as porous material by filling a frame to investigate acoustics wave propagation through them atnormal incidence. Experimental testing was carried out on circular teabag panels in an impedance tubeusing a transfer function method to determine their sound absorption coefficient and transmission loss.Furthermore, the impedance gun method was used to determine the absorption properties of square panels.Results show that 75 mm thick circular panels give an absorption coefficient higher than 0.8 between 400and1600 Hz.Up-to9.8 dBsoundtransmissionlossofcircularpanelsisobtainedathigherfrequencies.Absorption coefficients for square teabag panels are very good despite a coincidence-dip seen at 800 Hz. Thesatisfactory sound absorption and sound transmission characteristics of acoustic panels made of consumedtea bags can make this recycled material a cost-effective solution in the production of sustainable acoustictreatment in indoor spaces. The results suggest that recycling of consumed teabag as the panel could beapplied as alternative sound absorbing materials.

Topics

• porous
• polymer