Graphic of single-use items

City postpones fee on single-use cups and ban on plastic shopping bags to 2022

December 10 2020 –

City Council has approved a revised start date of January 1, 2022 for the shopping bag and single-use cup by-laws.

Businesses will now have an additional year to prepare for the ban on plastic shopping bags and requirement to charge fees for paper shopping bags, new reusable shopping bags, and single-use cups

We remain committed to reducing waste and litter from single-use items as we transform Vancouver into a zero waste community by 2040. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, local businesses are experiencing significant economic challenges and are working hard to adapt to Provincial Health Officer orders, severely limiting their capacity to prepare for new regulations like the single-use item by-laws.

Outreach and education to start early 2021

In preparation for the by-laws, the City will continue to use outreach and education to support residents and businesses in the shift away from single-use items.

A public awareness campaign, by-law guide, and business toolkit will launch in early 2021 to encourage behaviour change and help businesses prepare for, comply with, and communicate the upcoming requirements to their staff and customers.

Summary of single-use item by-laws

For a complete list of requirements, visit vancouver.ca/reduce-single-use

Foam cups and foam take-out containers

In effect and compliance expected as of January 1, 2020.

As a result of COVID-19, the City is using discretion with enforcement and businesses are expected to comply as soon as it is possible for them to do so.

  • Ban on foam cups and foam take-out containers

Plastic straws

In effect and compliance expected as of April 22, 2020.

As a result of COVID-19, the City is using discretion with enforcement and businesses are expected to comply as soon as it is possible for them to do so.

  • Flexible plastic straws, individually wrapped in paper, must be stocked by food vendors and provided to customers when requested (accessibility requirement)
  • Ban on all other plastic straws, including plastic made from fossil fuel products, and plastic that is labeled or described as compostable, degradable, or made from plants or other biological materials

Utensils

In effect and compliance expected as of April 22, 2020.

As a result of COVID-19, the City is using discretion with enforcement and businesses are expected to comply as soon as it is possible for them to do so.

  • Single-use utensils can only be provided by request
  • Self-serve stations are allowed
  • This by-law covers single-use spoons, knives, forks and chopsticks of all material types

Single-use cups

Will come into effect and compliance expected as of January 1, 2022.

  • A minimum fee of $0.25 must be charged for each single-use beverage cup distributed
  • Starting with the 2023 business license renewal, food vendors must report to the City the number of single-use cups distributed in the past 12 months at every business location
  • The cup reporting requirement is waived for each business location participating in a reusable cup-share program

Shopping bags

Will come into effect and compliance expected as of January 1, 2022.

Plastic Shopping Bags

  • Ban on plastic shopping bags including plastic made from fossil fuel products, and plastic that is labeled or described as compostable, degradable, or made from plants or other biological materials

Paper Shopping Bags

  • A minimum fee of $0.15 must be charged for each paper shopping bag distributed, minimum fee increases to $0.25 in 2023
  • Paper shopping bags must contain at least 40% recycled content and be labeled “recyclable” and “made of 40% recycled content”
  • If requested by the City, and no sooner than Jan 1, 2023, business license holders must report the number of paper shopping bags distributed during the previous 12 months

Reusable Shopping Bags

  • A minimum fee of $1 must be charged for each new reusable shopping bag distributed, minimum fee increases to $2 in 2023
  • Reusable shopping bags must be designed and manufactured to be capable of at least 100 uses

If requested by the City, business license holders must report the number of reusable shopping bags distributed during the previous 12 months