Chloe Zhang
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the use of plastic, particularly single-use plastics. While there is no evidence of food, food containers, or packaging being associated with COVID-19 transmission, the virus can survive on plastic surfaces for up to three days. This has led to a resurgence in the use of plastic bags, containers, and other disposable items, reversing previous efforts to reduce plastic waste. The perception of plastic as a more sanitary option has influenced policies and consumer behaviour, with plastic bag bans being temporarily lifted in some places during the pandemic. However, it is important to note that plastic goods may not be safer than reusable alternatives, and the focus on single-use plastics during the pandemic has contributed to the ongoing problem of plastic pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long does coronavirus stay on plastic? | Two to three days |
| How long does coronavirus stay on cardboard? | 24 hours |
| How long does coronavirus stay on copper? | Four hours |
| How to protect yourself from coronavirus when opening packages? | Wash your hands after opening the package within the shipping box |
| How to disinfect surfaces? | Use products that meet EPA's criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, diluted household bleach solutions, or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
Coronavirus can stay on plastic for up to 3 days
The novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, can remain on plastic surfaces for up to three days, according to a study by federal and academic scientists in the US. The study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that the virus was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours and could remain stable on plastic for two to three days. This is similar to the duration of SARS, another coronavirus, which can survive on plastic for up to five days.
The study also noted that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects. This finding reinforces the need to adhere to the CDC's existing coronavirus guidelines, which include frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and frequent cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. While there is currently no evidence of food, food containers, or packaging being associated with COVID-19 transmission, it is still important to wash hands after handling food packaging and before eating.
The stability of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols and on surfaces is believed to contribute to its transmission in healthcare settings. The virus can remain stable on cardboard for up to 24 hours, on copper for about four hours, and on stainless steel for two to three days. The study compared the behaviour of SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV-1, which caused the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. While the two viruses behaved similarly, the researchers could not explain why COVID-19 has become a much larger outbreak.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted waste management strategies and challenged sustainability efforts. Single-use plastic items, such as bags, disposable wipes, and food containers, have become more prevalent during the pandemic due to health fears and the increased demand for delivery and takeaway options. Plastic waste has also increased in the healthcare sector, with hospitals advised to double-bag clinical waste from COVID-19 patients. The pandemic has led to a reversal of previous policies aimed at reducing plastic waste, with plastic bag bans being rolled back in some places.
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The virus can be contracted by touching contaminated objects
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, can survive on plastic for up to three days. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the virus was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours, on copper for about four hours, on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on plastic and stainless steel for two to three days. The study also noted that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects.
The virus can enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth, and it is possible that it can survive on surfaces or objects. While there is currently no evidence of food, food containers, or food packaging being associated with COVID-19 transmission, it is still important to practice good hygiene and wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. It is also recommended to clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, especially those that are frequently touched.
To reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 through contaminated objects, it is important to avoid touching your face with unwashed hands and to disinfect surfaces using products that meet the EPA's criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, such as diluted household bleach solutions or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol. It is also crucial to follow public health guidelines, such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance from others, to minimize the risk of virus transmission.
While single-use plastics have been promoted as a more hygienic option during the pandemic, there is little evidence to support this claim. In fact, plastic waste can have negative environmental and human health impacts, especially on marginalized communities that are already more vulnerable to COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to continue adopting sustainable behaviors and reduce the use of single-use plastics whenever possible.
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The risk of contracting the virus from food packaging is low
The coronavirus outbreak has led to a resurgence in the use of single-use plastics, as people stock up on provisions and food packaged in unsustainable materials. Plastic bag bans have been rolled back in some places, and the demand for disposable wipes, cleaning agents, hand sanitiser, disposable gloves, and masks is at an all-time high. However, there is little evidence to support the claim that single-use plastic bags are a safer option than reusable bags, which can be washed.
Research has shown that the coronavirus can remain stable on cardboard for about 24 hours and on plastic for up to three days. However, the risk of contracting the virus from these surfaces is not fully understood. Person-to-person contact is believed to be the main way the virus is transmitted, and it is possible that the virus can also be spread through contaminated objects and surfaces. Public health professionals are advised to take precautions similar to those for influenza and other respiratory viruses to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
To protect yourself from potential coronavirus contamination, it is important to wash your hands regularly and after opening packages or handling food packaging. It is also recommended to follow CDC guidelines on frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, as well as frequently cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. By following these precautions, the risk of contracting the virus from food packaging can be further reduced.
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Plastic waste increased during the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on plastic waste generation and disposal practices worldwide. Before the pandemic, many cities and states in the US had successfully implemented measures to reduce single-use plastic waste. However, the pandemic led to a resurgence in the use of disposable items, particularly plastic, due to sanitary concerns and the perception that plastic was a safer alternative. This shift in consumer behaviour resulted in a notable increase in plastic waste during the pandemic.
Several factors contributed to the rise in plastic waste. Firstly, there was an increase in household plastic consumption during lockdown. Surveys conducted in the US and the UK revealed that households generated more plastic waste, with a significant portion coming from food and beverage packaging. For instance, a survey by Everyday Plastic in the UK found that households threw out an average of 128 plastic items during lockdown, compared to 99 items in pre-lockdown surveys. This increase in plastic waste was also evident in the rise in municipal solid waste and recycling collection during the initial months of the pandemic.
Secondly, changes in waste management practices during the pandemic further exacerbated the issue. Recycling efforts were disrupted, with many recycling centres closing their doors due to health concerns. As a result, materials that would typically be recycled were diverted to landfills, contributing to the growing plastic waste problem. Additionally, the pandemic led to a massive increase in disposable PPE and medical waste, which further strained recycling infrastructure.
The impact of the pandemic on plastic waste was also felt by online retailers, with Amazon coming under scrutiny for its plastic waste generation. According to a report by the environmental organization Oceana, Amazon generated 599 million pounds of plastic packaging waste in 2020, a third more than the previous year. This waste often ends up in oceans and ecosystems, causing harm to the environment and wildlife.
The pandemic has highlighted the need for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics and improved waste management strategies. While sanitary concerns initially drove the increased use of plastic, studies have shown that plastic goods are not necessarily safer than reusable options. As the world navigates the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, addressing plastic waste and promoting environmentally conscious practices remain crucial to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
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The virus survives as long on plastic as stainless steel
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, can remain on plastic for up to three days, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research also found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can stay in the air for up to three hours and remain stable for about four hours on copper and up to 24 hours on cardboard. While the study focused on the stability of the virus, it also noted that people may acquire COVID-19 through the air or by touching contaminated objects.
In light of these findings, public health professionals have been advised to take precautions similar to those for influenza and other respiratory viruses to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic, with person-to-person contact believed to be the main mode of transmission. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges that transmission through contaminated objects and surfaces is possible.
The virus can survive on plastic and stainless steel for two to three days, according to laboratory tests conducted by federal and academic scientists in the US. These findings reinforce the need to adhere to the CDC's existing coronavirus guidelines, which include frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces.
While single-use plastics have been promoted as a more hygienic option during the pandemic, studies show that they are not necessarily safer than reusable alternatives when it comes to COVID-19. In fact, the virus survives as long on plastic as it does on other surfaces, including stainless steel. The focus on single-use plastics during the pandemic has threatened previous efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable behaviours.
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Frequently asked questions
The coronavirus can stay on plastic for up to three days.
The risk of contracting COVID-19 from plastic is low. There is currently no evidence of food, food containers, or food packaging being associated with transmission. However, it is possible that the virus can survive on surfaces.
To reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 from plastic, follow general hygiene guidelines such as frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and frequently cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
No, studies show that single-use plastic is not safer than reusable alternatives with respect to COVID-19. In fact, single-use plastic generates pollutants that can negatively impact environmental and human health, especially for marginalized populations who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Recommended disinfectants for coronavirus on plastic surfaces include diluted household bleach solutions prepared according to the manufacturer's label, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and products that meet the EPA's criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2.
