Over the last several weeks, we’ve heard of many different companies stepping up to join the battle against COVID-19. Hockey visor makers are now designing shields for cashiers at grocery stores, and breweries and hydroponic companies are making much-needed hand sanitizer.
Washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds is the best way to practice proper hygiene during the global pandemic. But it’s nice to have hand sanitizer for the times you’re out and about for essential reasons, like buying groceries.
Statistics Canada says hand sanitizer sales jumped 639% by mid-March compared to the 2019 average.
Talk about high demand.
To help with the resulting shortage, global hydroponics nutrient maker, Emerald Harvest, is now making sanitizer.
The company is dedicating its stainless-steel mixing equipment – generally used for mixing fertilizers – to making thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer.
The bottles will be donated to those in need or distributed by Hawthorne Gardening at various hydroponic retail stores.
Beyond making hygiene products, Emerald Harvest is also giving back by offering the company’s facilities to the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control for storage, supply staging, or medical use.
It’s offering to lend equipment to the healthcare sector, including deionized water systems, UV water treatment, and on-site lab and analysis. The company’s space in California is also available for any needs the government or other health organizations have.
It’s not the first time Emerald Harvest has helped a community in crisis. During the devastating California wildfires, families forced to leave their homes were given a place to stay at the Santa Rosa facilities.
Know of any other businesses in the growing industry going above and beyond? Keep us in the loop at editor@gardenculturemagazine.com