Shopping Bag By-Law Support Plan

Reusable shopping bags can be dropped off at the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre and will be provided to residents in need.

By-law exemptions for charities and non-profits

Charities and non-profits are not required to charge fees on paper bags and reusable bags used to provide food for free or at low cost.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, charitable food services may also continue to use plastic shopping bags to provide essential services.

Vancouver’s ban on plastic shopping bags and fees for paper bags and new reusable bags started on January 1, 2022.

We’re taking action to minimize potential impacts to residents with low incomes and people experiencing homelessness.

Reusable shopping bag donation and distribution program

Many residents have accumulated excess reusable bags over time, while other residents may not have enough bags for daily use.

Sharing the abundance of existing bags with each other is the most environmentally friendly option for reducing waste and avoiding bag fees.

Residents can donate reusable shopping bags at the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre. Donated bags will be made available to residents with low incomes and people experiencing homelessness.

Resources

Where to get bags

If you are in need of free bags for personal use, email ShoppingBagSupportPlan@vancouver.ca for more information on how to get bags.

Residents cannot take bags that have been dropped off at the Zero Waste Centre. Due to Zero Waste Centre procedures to protect public safety, including COVID-19 protocols, residents are not allowed to sort through or take any items that have been dropped off at the Zero Waste Centre
Where to donate bags (residents)
Residents can donate reusable shopping bags at the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre.

Follow these steps before donating bags to ensure bags can be reused
1. Remove all items from inside the bags, including receipts and personal belongings.
2. Remove any cardboard or plastic inserts from the bags.
3. Wash your bags (in a washing machine or by hand).
4. Tumble dry bags on low heat or hang to dry. Ensure bags are completely dry before donating to prevent mold.
5. Inspect bags for any damage. Do not donate bags with broken handles, ripped seams, or large holes.
6. Lay bags flat on top of each other. Nest the stack of flat bags inside one of the bags.
The following items are not accepted as part of this donation stream:
- Single-use plastic and paper shopping bags
- Reusable bags smaller than 23 cm x 30 cm when laid flat
- Reusable bags with sewn-in partitions for wine bottles
- Bags with mold or mildew, paint stains, or contaminated with oil
- Shopping bags on wheels
Plan your visit to the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre

A list of non-profits that accept donations of reusable shopping bags from residents will be available soon.
Where to donate bags (businesses)
We encourage businesses to consider the following suggestions for complying with the shopping bag by-law, while also supporting charities and non-profits that offer programs to residents who are disproportionately affected by income inequality.
- Use revenue from bag fees to fund the donation of reusable bags to charitable food services and other non-profits that offer programs like grocery hampers and clothing rooms
- Donate leftover stock of plastic shopping bags to non-profits that can make them available to community members to use for other purposes (for example, as garbage bin liners)
- Collect donated reusable shopping bags from your customers, and drop the bags off at one of the non-profits accepting donated bags. Make sure your customers know that bags must be clean and dry, and in good condition (no broken handles, ripped seams, or large holes) to ensure they can be reused.
Review a list of non-profits that accept donated shopping bags from businesses (144 KB)