Reusing and Recycling: It is Always a Good Idea

It’s official: your reusable mug or water bottle has been tainted with suspicion and some of you are wondering if you should trade in your reusable items and bags for single-use plastics given the rapid, worldwide spread of COVID-19.

We’ve entered uncharted territory on a global scale due to the novel coronavirus, and we are wiping down every surface we come in contact with, using excess paper towels and cleaning supplies, along with constantly washing clothes and other items in fear of further spreading the disease.

We’re here to tell you some good news: reusable or secondhand items are unlikely to spread the novel coronavirus, as long as they’re washed or disinfected in between uses. But we get it, new items come with the idea of cleanliness especially during this time, while reusable and secondhand goods can sometimes fight the perception of being unsanitary (just so you know, no disposable packaging is completely sterile, unless it is marked as such!)

Reusing goods and packaging as many times as possible, instead of disposing of them and then buying new ones, is one of the greenest practices there currently is. It prevents energy and resources from being spent on manufacturing and shipping new items and diverts your old items from landfills and oceans, even at a time like this.

While you may not be able to bring your coffee mug to get refilled at Starbucks or give back your Fresh Direct bags right now, reusing mugs, water bottles and bags whenever you can is still a best practice. If you’re thrifty, continue shopping at secondhand clothing online store, ThredUp, or if you’re a user of Rent the Runway, because rest assured, “there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted from soft surfaces like fabric or carpet to humans.”

Companies and consumers have made tremendous environmental progress and we don’t have to temporarily stop all our efforts.

Regardless of how long the coronavirus epidemic lasts, our Earth will still be here – let’s continue to treat it right.

Questions on your waste or recycling during this time? Get in touch with us at 215-302-2000 or info@advenviro.com.