Biodegradable COVID-19 Tests

It's estimated that a COVID-19 rapid test contains about 10-grams of plastic that heads to the landfill immediately after use, which is something the 'Gelassette' COVID-19 test is designed to combat against.

Designed by Luis Fernando Sanchez Barrios, the rapid test has a 100% plastic-free design and maintains a gelatin-based form. The test will thus biodegrade in soil in four weeks and offers less than three-hours of water dispersibility, which makes it a far less resource-intensive alternative to existing health tests on the market.

The 'Gelassette' COVID-19 test shows promise to decrease waste during the ongoing pandemic, but could also be used with additional lateral flow tests to further reduce healthcare waste. The test identifies ways in which the medical field could be made more sustainable with small changes that add up in the longterm.