Media Releases and Opportunities
» Go to news mainMedia opportunity: Use of disposable plastics in food industry rose sharply during the pandemic, but Dalhousie study suggests it's time to move back to reusables in accordance with health guidelines
The spread of COVID-19 has caused a sharp spike in the use of single-use plastics (SUPs) as consumers look for ways to mitigate their risk of contracting the highly transmissible virus and follow public health guidelines.
At times during the pandemic, food services were limited to takeout options and personal reusable items were restricted, causing the consumption of disposable plastic products to increase dramatically. For many in the sector, the pandemic hit when they were trying to move away from SUPs.
Researchers at Dalhousie University examined the rise in SUPs during the pandemic by consulting with stakeholders from the food service sector about their use of disposable plastics, and developing opportunities to reduce their use in Nova Scotia.
In a new paper, they outline how the industry could limit its reliance on SUPs and reintroduce practices aimed at reducing the consumption of SUPs, understanding that health officials have confirmed that reusables are safe to use with proper sanitary precautions in place.
Two of the paper's co-authors, Tony Walker and Shen Molloy of Dalhousie's School for Resource and Environmental Studies, are available to discuss their findings and strategies the food sector could adopt to reduce its use of SUPs.
-30-
Author contacts:
Tony Walker, PhD
Associate Professor
Cell: 1-782-640-0087
Email: trwalker@dal.ca
Shen Molloy, MREM
Research Assistant
Cell: 1-613-893-0997
Email: szmolloy@dal.ca
Media contact:
Alison Auld
Senior Research Reporter
Communications, Marketing and Creative Services
Dalhousie University
Cell: 1-902-220-0491
Email: alison.auld@dal.ca
Recent News
- Media opportunity: Being involved in extracurricular activities really does matter when it comes to 'mattering': Dalhousie University research
- Media opportunity: Podcast by Dalhousie researcher and Halifax photographer looks at barriers to Nova Scotia's coastline, decreasing access to waterfronts and problems with litter, marine debris in public coastal areas
- Media opportunity: Dalhousie University researcher pioneers new cancer treatment ‑‑ cutting‑edge CAR‑T cell therapy
- Media opportunity: Research sheds light on the difficulty temporary foreign workers can face in securing permanent residency in P.E.I.
- Media opportunity: World's largest stores of unfrozen freshwater projected to warm and affect cold‑water habitats, geothermal energy resources and drinking water quality : Dalhousie University research
- Media release: Dalhousie University research reveals conservation benefits are doubled for reef sharks and rays in fully protected marine areas that also have strong fisheries management
- Media release: New program partners Dalhousie researcher and IWK Health to tackle violence against women
- Media opportunity: Dalhousie University researchers and an international team identify new strain of mpox virus in Africa that can spread through heterosexual sex and community contact
Comments
comments powered by Disqus