We’re removing our single-use item by-laws in 2 phases:
April 9, 2024: plastic shopping bags, foam containers, plastic straws, and utensils
July 15, 2024: paper and reusable shopping bags
We’re notifying businesses, non-profits, and other stakeholders regarding the transition to provincial and federal single-use regulations, and how this change affects them.
Transitioning to provincial and federal single-use plastics regulations
Provincial and federal single-use and plastics regulations began December 20, 2023. These regulations align with, and extend beyond, our single-use item by-laws.
To avoid overlap and simplify compliance for businesses and non-profits, we will no longer regulate single-use items. The provincial and federal governments will now regulate single-use items.
Transitioning to the provincial and federal regulations is a significant achievement for us. We have led the development of comprehensive single-use regulations in Canada. Recognizing we can’t solve the problem of single-use waste and plastic pollution on our own, Council and staff have advocated for these provincial and federal regulations.
December 20, 2023: Restrictions on food service accessories like utensils, straws, stir sticks, cup lids and sleeves, condiments, napkins, wet wipes, and garnishes
July 15, 2024: Restrictions on shopping bags, food service ware (take-out containers), food packaging, and oxo-degradable plastics. Minimum 40% recycled content for paper bags, and minimum fees for paper ($0.25), and reusable ($2) shopping bags.
December 20, 2023: Shopping bags, cutlery, straws, stir sticks, and take-out containers made from specific “problematic” plastics
June 20, 2024: Ring carriers and flexible plastic straws attached to beverage containers
On November 16, 2023, a federal court ruled against these federal regulations. The federal government is appealing the decision. The provincial regulations, which cover similar issues except for ring carriers and plastic straws, are not impacted by the federal court's ruling.
Changes in Vancouver with the new provincial and federal regulations
By following our single-use by-laws, businesses and non-profits in Vancouver were already meeting many of the requirements in the new provincial and federal regulations.
Review a summary of the rules that are new in Vancouver. These don't include rules that were previously in place with our single-use by-laws.
Information icon This is for general information purposes only. If you are a business or non-profit, review the provincial and federal regulations above to make sure you are following their rules.
Take-out and delivery containers made from compostable plastic, biodegradable plastic, oxo-degradable plastic, PVC, or PVDC
Paper food serviceware can be lined with compostable plastic
Prohibited
Sale of food serviceware made from biodegradable plastic, oxo-degradable plastic, PVC, PVDC, or foam
Prohibited
Sale of packaged foods (like instant noodles in a cup or eggs in a carton) in bowls, cartons, wraps, or other packaging made from biodegradable plastic, oxo-degradable plastic, PVC, PVDC, or foam
Prohibited
Biodegradable plastic or PVDC film wrap
Prohibited
All oxo-degradable plastic products and packaging (for example, dog waste bags, garbage bags, or dry cleaning bags)
As of December 20, 2023, online food-delivery platform operators that take orders for more than one food service provider must keep a record of the percentage of deliveries that request or accept food service accessories. Records must be kept for 2 calendar years.
As of July 15, 2024, only large businesses or franchises with over 500 BC employees need to track the average number of paper and reusable bags sold per transaction. Records must be kept for 2 calendar years.
The federal plastic straw ban prohibits food vendors from giving out flexible plastic straws, and retailers from displaying them. Retailers can still sell flexible plastic straws, but customers must ask to buy them, and bring their own to restaurants and other food vendors.
On March 28, 2024, the Mayor sent a letter on behalf of Council to the federal government. The letter asks the federal government to allow food vendors and retailers to provide and display flexible plastic straws, and also for manufacturers to attach them to drink boxes. These changes would be to make sure that persons with disabilities are not disproportionately affected by plastic bans while striving toward our shared environmental goals.
