Lives in southern Manitoba have been greatly altered in recent weeks. As Covid cases rise rapidly in our province
and across Canada, the need to act responsibly becomes critical for each of us and all of us. As we face limiting
contacts and activities, one of the things that remains constant is our trips to the grocery store. We can be thankful
for food security in our community, but another challenge accompanies our food shopping.
Since the start of the pandemic, I, thinking of myself as a safety-conscious consumer, had begun to purchase fresh
produce in plastic packaging. Upon advice from my friend whose son is an emergency room doctor in BC, I had also
dutifully wiped down all food purchases with sanitizing wipes or washed produce in mild soapy water for twenty
seconds since mid-March, even when I did not feel like it.
But as my guilt rose, so did my desire to do some digging on single-use plastic packaging for foods as a safety
measure. Turns out research is being actively done all over the world. Wide-sweeping changes are on the horizon
for corporations and consumers for reduction of use of single-use plastics. But specific research on the Coronavirus
with regard to food packaging has been recently published. Here are some of the findings.
Although recent studies are showing that the Corona virus spreads primarily by far through aural transmission,
particles can reside on surfaces. The length of time varies with the surface. Recent research from health authorities
in Germany, the US, the European Union and the World Health Organization (Ecowatch, Oct.26, 2020) tells us that
“the virus will persist on plastic longer than almost any material examined (up to three days in laboratory
conditions)”. On porous packaging, such as cardboard – the virus remains for only 23-27 hours.
Our stores and their workers, thankfully, wipe down shopping carts and door handles, and protect checkout card
terminals
. But cleaning every package is highly unlikely. Shoppers may or may not have sanitized hands and, with colder
weather setting in, inadvertent sneezing or coughing occurs.
The American Chemical Society advises consumers to go to grocery stores less often, that reusable bags and boxes
are not suspect as carriers of the Corona virus, and that consumers should wash reusable bags after each use as a
precaution.
Plastic, and especially single-use packaging, still accounts for more than half of the world’s plastic waste.
What this means is that, when making food packaging choices, we can choose glass or cardboard packaging
over plastic when possible. We can avoid packaging completely when possible. Purchased products (Ecowatch,
Oct26, 2020) can also be left in a separate box in an out-of-the-way place for three days to allow any traces of the
virus to die off. Fresh produce can be lightly swished in soapy water or thoroughly rinsed with water and a vigorous
vegetable brush scrub.
Trends and public opinion about reducing plastics waste have had an about-face as consumers sought protection
through plastic packaging in recent months. Research is telling us we have options. Sorting out life in the middle
of a pandemic is an ongoing challenge in many ways. Good to know that caring for the environment does not have
to be put on hold. Take care everyone.
Written by Marilyn Houser Hamm for ACAN
ACAN seeks to educate and inspire sustainable practices in our community.Follow us on
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