Municipal bylaws for single-use plastics

British Columbians are taking action to reduce plastic pollution and its impact within their communities and the larger environment.

Find out how B.C. municipalities can support these efforts as part of the province’s transition to a circular economy.

Phasing out single-use plastics:

Prevents waste
Decreases litter in communities
Reduces the environmental impact caused by plastic waste
Encourages greater use of sustainable and reusable alternatives

Bylaws and regulations

The single-use plastics bylaws are created under Part 3 of the Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction: Environment and Wildlife Regulation.

This regulation:

Provides authority for municipalities to regulate specific single-use plastics
Encourages a consistent approach to make it easier for citizens and businesses operating in different municipalities to comply
Supports the transition to a more circular economy for plastics in B.C.

Local government guide

Review the Local Government Guide to Plastic Bylaws (PDF, 627KB) to understand the regulation.

To find out more about how the Province and local governments work together to create bylaws, visit Local Government and Provincial Concurrent Authority.

Single-use plastics being phased out

Municipalities can choose if they want to regulate all or some of these items:

Plastic checkout bags
Drinking straws
Polystyrene foam serviceware
Plastic utensils including stir sticks

These single-use items have been included based on:

Feedback from provincial engagement with Indigenous communities, local governments, businesses and citizens
Action taken by B.C. municipalities
Environmental impact

Participating municipalities

The following municipalities have adopted a single-use plastics bylaw. Visit the municipality’s website for more information.

Municipalities with bylaws for single-use plastics

Expand All | Collapse All

City of Chilliwack

Items:

Plastic bags
Straws
Polystyrene foam serviceware
Single-use plastic utensils

Implementation date: April 1, 2022

Website: City of Chilliwack

City of Delta

Items:

Plastic bags
Polystyrene foam serviceware

Implementation date: June 6, 2022

Website: City of Delta

City of Nanaimo

Items:

Plastic bags

Implementation date: July 1, 2021

Website: City of Nanaimo

City of Port Moody

Items:

Plastic bags
Straws
Polystyrene foam serviceware
Plastic utensils - stir sticks only

Implementation date: April 22, 2022

Website: City of Port Moody

City of Revelstoke

Items:

Plastic bags
Straws
Polystyrene foam serviceware

Implementation date: July 1, 2022

Website: City of Revelstoke

City of Richmond

Items:

Plastic bags
Straws
Polystyrene foam serviceware

Implementation date: March 27, 2022

Website: City of Richmond

City of Rossland

Items:

Plastic bags

Implementation date: March 8, 2021

Website: City of Rossland

City of Surrey

Items:

Plastic bags
Polystyrene foam serviceware

Implementation date: October 19, 2021

Website: City of Surrey

City of Vancouver

Items:

Plastic bags
Straws
Polystyrene foam serviceware
Single-use plastic utensils
Cups

Implementation date: January 1, 2020

Provisions regarding straws and single-use utensils came into effect on April 22, 2020
Provisions regarding plastic bags and cups came into effect on January 1, 2022

Website: City of Vancouver