Attention retail and food service businesses!

On July 15, 2024, the following provincial single-use item restrictions come into effect. While some businesses have already implemented these steps in response to federal regulations, the province's rules are now coming into effect:

• While plastic bags have already been banned, reusable shopping bags must now have the following minimum fees: 
  • Reusable bags are allowed to be sold for a minimum of $2
  • Recycled paper bags can be sold for a minimum of 25 cents
  • Recycled take-out bags can still be provided free by food service businesses for delivery and drive-through orders
  • Bags provided for things like bulk foods, individual screws/nails/fasteners, and for fruit and vegetables are not included or impacted 
• Food service ware made of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and all oxo-degradable plastics are banned   =

Existing Federal Rules

The lack of a comprehensive approach by government has led to a patchwork of regulations and timelines for businesses to manage.  Despite an ongoing court challenge, the following federal rules came into effect on December 20, 2023 and are in effect:

 The following items are prohibited altogether from being sold or handed out:

• plastic utensils, including spoons, forks, knifes, chopsticks, stir sticks and drink splash plugs
• plastic shopping bags 
• food service ware made from expanded and extruded polystyrene foam, PVC, black coloured plastic, or oxo-degradable plastic including bowls, boxes or cartons, cups, containers, plates, platters and trays
• plastic straws  (not including flexible straws packaged with a beverage ie: juice box)

• wooden utensils
• cup lids and sleeves   
• straws (paper or other non-plastic only) 
• single-serving condiments  
• napkins or wet wipes
• garnishes (e.g., plastic sushi grass, umbrellas for drinks)

Downloadable Resources:

• Canada-BC Single-Use Item Regulation Overview
• Info Sheet – Utensils
• Info Sheet – Shopping Bags
• Info Sheet – Food Packaging

More Info:

For more information on the Canada single-use plastics restrictions, visit the government site here > 

For full information on BC’s single-use bans, visit the government site here >