Information for businesses, charities, and not-for-profits

Complying with the by-laws

• |

• 

  Suggested alternatives: what to choose instead

  We encourage you to source reusable alternatives or single-use packaging that can be: 

  • Recycled in the Recycle BC residential recycling program External website, opens in new tab
  • Composted in the City Green Bin organics program​​​​​​​
• 

  Myth busting: composting and degradable plastics

  It’s time for some myth busting. You might be surprised to find out what happens to these items after your customers are done with them. 

  Fact 1

  Plastic that is labeled or described as compostable, degradable (example: biodegradable, oxodegradable, photodegradable), bioplastic, or made from plants or other biological materials:

  • Is not accepted in the City Green Bin organics program
  • Contaminates existing composting and recycling streams
  • Is not approved for composting under provincial regulation
  • Is not designed to biodegrade if littered in the natural environment

  Fact 2

  Plastic that is labeled or described as compostable or degradable is also not accepted in Recycle BC’s residential recycling program External website, opens in new tab.

  Fact 3

  As contaminants, plastics that are labeled or described as compostable, degradable, or made from plants are most likely to be removed from composting and recycling streams and then disposed to landfill or incinerator.

• 

  Enforcing the rules

  Due to the extenuating circumstances of COVID-19, City staff are prioritizing outreach and education to ensure businesses have the support they need in order to comply with all five of the single-use item by-laws.

  ​​​​​​​If a business is found to be out of compliance with the foam, plastic straw and utensil by-laws, initial City actions will focus on education, outreach and support to help them comply. Staff will be using discretion and enforcement will be reserved for cases of deliberate and harmful non-compliance after all outreach and education efforts have been exhausted.

  Following these initial actions, increasing levels of enforcement may be used to address non-compliant operators. Non-compliant business license holders may be issued tickets that can lead to fines of up to $500 per offence. Business license holders with repeat offences may be subject to prosecution and face provincial court issued fines of up to $10,000 per offence.

  During COVID-19, charitable food services may continue to distribute single-use items with food or meals, but are expected to begin working towards complying with the by-laws as soon as it is possible for them.

• 

  Federal regulation of single-use items

  The federal government is proposing to regulate single-use items External website, opens in new tab as early as 2021.

  We will continue to advocate for federal regulations that meet the highest standards and align with our by-laws.

  If the federal government proceeds with its regulations, City Council may consider how these regulations affect its by-laws and change them. Until then, Vancouver business licence holders are required to comply with the City’s single-use item by-laws.