Plastic and the COVID Pandemic

Sierra Club’s top priority is the health and safety of volunteers, staff and our communities as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate frontline workers, including healthcare workers as well as those working in grocery and other essential businesses, and support the importance of protecting the health and well-being of these workers and our communities. During these times the discussion of reusable bags and containers safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been one that has left the public divided. However, research has been conducted that has investigated the science behind keeping individuals safe and avoiding spread of the novel coronavirus. 

When it comes to the ability for the novel coronavirus to survive on different surfaces, peer reviewed research of the novel coronavirus indicates the virus was not detectable on cloth after two days but was still viable on plastic after seven days. Additionally, The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that “there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.” According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is “poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures.” The virus spreads mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. When present, the coronavirus is “easily inactivated by simple household disinfectants.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the problem through an increased reliance on single-use plastic items like carryout shopping bags, with estimates of 250-300% increase in consumption domestically during the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio, many grocery stores moved to discourage or disallow the use of reusable shopping bags and instead relying on plastic bags, fearing that reusable bags could be a vector for virus transmission. However, recently a group of over 100 scientists and medical professionals released a statement citing that reusable containers like bags and cups can be safe to use during the pandemic. 

The Oil & Gas Industry is taking advantage of our collective fears and pushing legislators to take steps to weaken plastic reduction legislation for the foreseeable future. While early concerns of surface transmission were unknown, we now understand that measures of extreme caution of reusables are not entirely necessary. It is unwarranted to remove plastic bag bans permanently which would reverse progress in curbing single-use plastic pollution. This pandemic shouldn't be used as an opportunity to roll back protections of our nation’s clean air and water for our communities.

The Sierra Club has vigorously advocated for plastic pollution reduction at state and local levels across Ohio. 

 

So, what can you do in your community to make sure progress on single use plastic bag reduction is not lost?

Continue to use reusable bag options, where allowed, while implementing these best practices to keep yourself and others safe and healthy:

  • Self-checkout is a great way to practice social distancing and limit face-to-face exposure. If you do not have a lot of items, you often won’t need a bag at all.

  • Choose fabric reusable bags over reusables made from plastic. The coronavirus has been shown to last longer on plastics than on other materials, and fabric bags can more easily be washed thoroughly in hot water and soap.

  • After every use fabric reusable bags should be properly washed with soap and hot water either in the laundry or by hand. Any reusable bags made from plastic should be disinfected with an alcohol based solution or properly diluted bleach solution.

Are reusable bags not permitted where you currently shop for groceries? Consider the following:

  • Instead of using a plastic bag you can pack your groceries back into your shopping cart and load directly into your car. This option can also be requested for curbside pick-up.

  • Visit your local farmers market where you can buy your food ‘naked’.

  • Write to or call your local grocery story stating you are a loyal customer and you wish to be able to use reusable bags in their store as it is safe and healthy. Check out the template below to guide you in your letter or phone call!

Phone Call or Letter Template:

Hello, 

My name is [NAME] and I have been a loyal customer at [GROCERY STORE NAME] at [LOCATION] for [NUMBER OF YEARS]. Your store currently does not allow reusable bags to be used at [LOCATION]. The world is being swallowed up by plastic, we must stop the needless waste of single-use plastic. Scientific studies have shown that single-use plastic bags are NOT safer than reusable alternatives. Would you like me to send this information to you? Please allow the use of reusable bags at your store! I’d hate to no longer shop [GROCERY STORE NAME], but there are other grocery stores and farmers markets that allow for the use of reusables.  

Resources that can be used in discussion of safety of reusable bags: