Should I cancel meetings and conferences? The CDC recommends carefully considering whether travel is necessary and use videoconferencing or teleconferencing when possible for work-related meetings and gatherings. When videoconferencing or teleconferencing is not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces, and space chairs at least 6 feet apart. Encourage staff and attendees to stay home if sick.
Should self-service buffets still be available in my cafeteria? State and local health authorities have implemented social-distancing measures which discourage or prohibit dining in congregate settings. The FDA also recommends discontinuing self-service buffets and salad bars until these measures are lifted. Takeout, delivery and pick up options are recommended. Check out Emerald Brand's compostable individually wrapped cutlery and takeout container options as a healthy alternative to plastic!
Does UV light kill COVID-19? Ultraviolet (UV) rays are part of sunlight. Studies show that UV light can be used to kill airborne COVID-19 particles and disinfect surfaces. For this reason, some hospitals, subways, and other public locations are using UV light to help disinfect areas when they are not occupied by people. While helpful for cleaning these areas, UV light has not been shown to prevent COVID-19 infection in humans or to kill the virus in infected patients.
Why is the CDC recommending compostable disposables where possible? The CDC recommends when purchasing packaged products, give preference to products in recyclable, compostable, or bio-based packaging. This is because compostable and bio-based products are made from natural and rapidly renewable materials that are the healthier choice for the consumer.
What kind of sanitizing options should we be offering? When bringing your employees and staff back into the office, their safety is your top priority! Hand sanitizer should be available in most spaces throughout the offices. The CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
How can I avoid employees having to congregate in the office? The CDC recommends implementing policies and practices for social distancing in the workplace. This could include implementing more coffee and break room stations around the office so employees are not all in one space.
Do you make cutlery Kits? (Fork, Knife, Spoon, Napkin) We make individually wrapped cutlery and did a study that at least one utensil in the kit is not used, which produces more waste. CDC guidelines are preferring to focus on reducing waste. Also, per CDC guidelines, this is not required as there have been studies which shown the viruses are not living on surfaces. We also produce cutlery cased in 100-piece bags as well as cutlery that gets inserted into our dispensing units.
Do you provide individually wrapped cups? Do you feel this is a more sanitary option? We do not. We can supply cup dispensers, which is a very sanitary option. Only one cup at a time gets pulled from the dispensing unit. Please see our “Re-integration Resources” e catalog. The CDC is not requiring individually wrapped disposables.
Do you provide individually wrapped napkins? We do not. We have dispenser napkins which are held in our napkin dispensers, both have table top and tower. Our table top dispensers will allow you to pull one napkin out at a time. A very sanitary option.
Do you provide Grab & Go items that are compostable? Yes, we do. Please see our “Re-Integration Resources” catalog. We will be making grab & go items here in the USA which are Tree-Free, compostable and flouro-carbon free. All of which are preferred by CDC guidelines.
What are the hand hygiene recommendations related to sanitizer? CDC recommends using ABHR (Alcohol Based Hand Rub) with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol in healthcare settings. Unless hands are visibly soiled, an alcohol-based hand rub is preferred over soap and water in most clinical situations due to evidence of better compliance compared to soap and water. Hand rubs are generally less irritating to hands and are effective in the absence of a sink. The hand sanitizer we provide is 65% ethanol and meets FDA requirements.
Are your disinfectants EPA approved to kill viruses? Yes, they are EPA approved to kill viruses. It kills Corona Virus in 2 minutes or less. Please keep the cleaner on the surface for at least 2 minutes before wiping it down.
We would like to provide our employees with masks and gloves for their safety, how many masks per day do you recommend? Standard non - surgical 3-layer are effective to four hours of continual use. We would suggest to provide 2 masks per employee per day. We recommend employees gloves be replaced whenever they interact in a common area. For additional options in employee protection, please contact your account manager regarding our health & wellness work station kits.
We understand that employees’ workstations need to be cleaned multiple times daily. What products do you recommend for each employee to self -perform throughout out the daily? We produce a line of made in USA, Tree-Free industrial towels. These items are chemical free, non - bleached and work well in conjunction with our EPA approved disinfectants.
With additional CDC cleanliness guidelines and required PPE for employees, we understand there may be increased waste. Do you have a solution to help? We can provide additional waste bins with signage and liners to be placed at key touch points in common areas. (Entry ways, pantries, lavatories etc.). We also can provide hard wound roll towel dispensers with our Tree-Free Roll Towels in these high traffic common areas.