COVID19 pandemic and waste

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC), “The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person or between people who are in close contact with one another, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.” While “it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes,” aerosolized droplets are the only documented method of COVID-19 transmission to date.

Studies show that the COVID-19 virus can remain infectious on surfaces for varying times depending on the material. One study showed infectious virus lasted up to 24 hours on paper and cardboard and between 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel’ In another study, infectious virus on print or tissue paper, whereas it was active up to 1 day on cloth, up to 3 days on glass, and 6 days on plastic and stainless steel. To prevent transmission through objects and surfaces, one can assume that any object or surface in a public space — reusable or disposable — could be contaminated with the virus. Single-use plastic is not inherently safer than reusables, and causes additional public health concerns once it is discarded.

Most common approved household disinfectants should be effective for disinfecting hard 6 surfaces, including reusable items, with such surfaces being cleaned thoroughly using a detergent or soap and hot water. Similarly, washing hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub, and then avoiding touching your eyes, mouth, or nose are effective ways to protect yourself.