{"id":11438,"date":"2020-06-22T10:56:48","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T10:56:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/?p=11438"},"modified":"2021-12-01T12:43:14","modified_gmt":"2021-12-01T12:43:14","slug":"reusables-can-be-used-safely-over-125-health-experts-fire-back-at-the-plastic-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/blogs\/11438\/reusables-can-be-used-safely-over-125-health-experts-fire-back-at-the-plastic-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Reusables can be used safely: Over 125 health experts fire back at the plastic industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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While the world is rightly preoccupied with tackling COVID-19, oil companies are pushing to produce more single-use plastic than ever before. So what do we need to know about plastic in the age of COVID-19?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

During these stressful times, we must listen to science not industry lobbyists. The oil and plastics industry wants you to think that you and your family are safer when your food, drinks and other products are wrapped in plastic. But health experts around the world agree that reusables can be used safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n

Over 125 scientists, academics, and doctors from 18 countries signed onto a <\/a>statement<\/a> today reassuring retailers and consumers that reusable systems can be utilized safely during the pandemic by employing basic hygiene. The experts \u2014 along with Greenpeace USA and UPSTREAM, both members of the Break Free From Plastic movement \u2014 note that household disinfectants have been proven effective at disinfecting hard surfaces, such as reusable cups and containers.<\/p>\n\n

Plastic is indispensable in healthcare settings, and there are many reasons why plastic is the material of choice for personal protective equipment (PPE) used to protect essential workers from COVID-19. But there\u2019s a big difference between PPE and packaging for food and other goods. Even so, the oil and plastics industry have been peddling myths in the media and to politicians in an attempt to make single-use plastic acceptable again.<\/p>\n\n

So, here\u2019s what you need to know about plastic packaging when it comes to COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n

There\u2019s nothing particularly sanitary about plastic packaging<\/h2>\n\n

Unless you are talking about the medical-grade stuff, there is nothing intrinsically sanitary about plastic. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses will all lurk there just as happily as anywhere else. They can sit on the product inside the plastic, they can sit on the plastic itself. There is nothing magical about this material.<\/p>\n\n

In fact, a study<\/a> from the New England Medical Journal indicates that COVID-19 can survive on plastic surfaces for two to three days, and on cardboard for 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n

The bottom line is, and hundreds of health experts agree, whether you buy your fruit and vegetables and other foods loose, or wrapped in plastic, you should always <\/strong>wash<\/strong><\/a> thoroughly before <\/strong><\/a>consumption<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n