This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
On June 22, 2020, a group of over 100 health experts from 18 countries, including several from Africa, signed a statement to reassure retailers and consumers that reusables are safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The experts, joined by Greenpeace USA and UPSTREAM, members of the Break Free From Plastic movement, emphasized that disposable products are not inherently safer than reusables and that reusable systems can be utilized safely during the pandemic by employing basic hygiene.
South African Environmental Epidemiologist Rico Euiridou stated, “Single-use plastic is not inherently safer than reusables and causes additional public health concerns once it is discarded. The promotion of unnecessary single-use plastics to decrease exposure to the COVID-19 negatively impacts the environment, marine life and water systems compared to the safe use of reusable face masks, containers and utensils.”
Greenpeace Africa Senior Political Advisor, Frederick Njehu, added, “It is shocking to learn that, in Kenya for instance, unscrupulous traders have been collecting used face masks, washing them and re-selling them to unsuspecting members of the public. The traders have taken advantage of COVID-19 to risk the lives of unsuspecting members of the public. It is crucial for businesses, and governments to know that as they reopen, reusable systems can be deployed safely to protect both the environment, workers and customers. All that is needed is for proper hygiene practices to be followed.”
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the plastic industry has worked to boost profits and demonize reusables. Pauses on plastic bans followed a significant PR push from the plastics industry, using older industry-funded research to claim that reusables are more dangerous than disposables during COVID-19.
UPSTREAM CEO, Matt Prindiville, noted, “Over the past few months, there’s been a lot of conflicting information about how the virus is spread, but we now know that surfaces are not the main way we’re exposed. Plastic harms our health along the entire supply chain. Fortunately, COVID-19 is easily destroyed by proper washing, so restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses can still serve us using reusable items in ways that protect health without harming the environment.”
