Reusables and COVID - a guide

Are reusables safe to use in COVID?

So this is probably the elephant 🐘 in the room for every reusable conversation. We’re going to tame the elephant (if that’s an acceptable metaphor, we totally don’t approve of actually training elephants obviously!) by looking at the problem factually.

The facts

We want to call out the most important fact. The only state that ever banned reusables was Queensland and they have been back on board since the end of 2021. In all other states reusables were not banned at any time and now they can be used anywhere in Australia. 

The problem

What complicated the conversation around reusables was that at some point, when things were a lot more uncertain, there was a perception that to reduce risk food outlets shouldn’t use them. This is totally understandable - no one wants to put their team or their customers at risk.

However, what became clear over time was that because COVID-19 is airborne, it's actually breathing on the cup by the server and the customer that is most likely to cause transmission and this is true for single-use as well as for reusables. 

How to use reusables in Coronavirus

All the COVID safe rules around hygiene, hand washing and mask wearing is what is important and what makes reusables as safe to use as single-use. 

Some key points for takeaway for consumers:

1. Practice social distancing in indoor settings

2. Always bring your reusable CLEAN - this was true before and remains incredibly important

3. Consider wearing a mask to protect others and yourself

Key points for food venues:

1. Follow social distancing rules 

2. Practice good hygiene when preparing and handling food 

3. Wash your hands frequently 

4. Clean and sanitise food preparation surfaces and tables 

5. Safe handling protocols for menus, foodware and condiments will minimise risks

6. Consider joining a reusable ‘Swap’ program, like RePlated’s Swap & Wash, where reusables are washed on site for extra safety.

COVID safe reusable resources

We’re not the first to explore this concept and we encourage you to keep reading - knowledge is power!

Sarah Wilson wrote a fantastic article on this back in June 2021 and since then has gone on to found the wildly successful ‘F*ck the Cup’ Campaign which saw reuse of coffee cups go mental (again) across Sydney’s beaches.

So, the outtake is that it’s time for the elephant to move on and for the rest of us to get back to saving the world from waste, in this case, one takeaway meal and coffee at a time.

It’s time to get back on board with reusables!