Many outlets have stopped using reusables to serve drinks in favour of single use containers in the belief they pose a lower risk of transmitting COVID-19.
But Dr Sarah Pitt, Principal Lecturer in microbiology and biomedical science practice at the º£½ÇÒùĸÂÒÂ×, believes reusables are safer and unlikely to contribute to the further spread of the disease. And, she said, using countless numbers of single-use plastic containers is creating a mountain of waste.
Dr Pitt, writing in , the independent source of news, comment and analysis, written by academics and researchers, said deposits of saliva left on a cup could carry the virus but it becomes inactive when it comes into contact with detergent. Using soap on hands, disinfectant on surfaces and washing-up liquid on cups and plates are effective killers.
Dr Pitt, Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science, said: “This is because the virus is surrounded by a fatty envelope which must be intact for the virus to remain infectious. This is readily disrupted by detergent, such as washing-up liquid. This means reusable containers could actually be safer if they are regularly and properly washed than single-use ones that may have been exposed to the environment for a long time and not washed before use.”
As for pubs, Dr Pitt said: “Perhaps it’s time to revive the tradition of bringing your own beer tankard.”