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Things you can do to reduce plastic waste
Every day, you can take action to help reduce plastic waste:
- Choose reusable options. For example, carry a cup or bring a bag
- Avoid single-use food service accessories. If you need a disposable item, like a wooden fork or straw, choose only what you’ll use
- Pick products with less packaging. For example, buy loose fruits and vegetables
- Reuse packaging before recycling it
Alternatives to single-use plastics
Looking for alternatives for single-use items? Our guides can help.
Gathering guide
The Zero waste gatherings guide (PDF, 774KB) was developed in partnership with the Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Committee for Indigenous communities hosting gatherings. In the guide you can find:
- Information on options for less waste
- Funding opportunities to support Indigenous-led projects reducing waste
Alternatives guide
The Alternatives to single-use plastics guide (PDF, 335 KB) can help you find alternatives to single-use items whether you are at home or hosting an event. Our guide directs you to the options that are best for our environment.
Drinks
![drinking glass and yellow ceramic cup drinking glass and yellow ceramic cup](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/drinks_best.jpg)
Best
- Reusable cups
- Reusable cup programs
![white paper cup with recyclable plastic lid white paper cup with recyclable plastic lid](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/drinks_acceptable.jpg)
Acceptable
- Paper cups, including those lined with compostable or other permitted plastic. Plastic-lined paper packaging should be cleaned and recycled, not composted
- Cups and lids made from easily recyclable plastic, such as PET (#1), HDPE (#2) and PP (#5)
![white styrofoam cup white styrofoam cup](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/drinks_avoid.jpg)
Avoid
- Polystyrene foam cups
- Hard-to-recycle plastic cups and lids, including those made with MFPP, compostable, biodegradable or oxo-degradable plastic
Food
![Plate and reusable containers with blue lid Plate and reusable containers with blue lid](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/food_best2.jpg)
Best
- Reusable dishes for on-site dining
- Reusable container program
![paper and aluminium food containers paper and aluminium food containers](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/food_acceptable2.jpg)
Acceptable
- Paper or plant-fibre containers, including those lined with compostable or other permitted plastic. Plastic-lined paper packaging should be cleaned and recycled, not composted
- Aluminium foil containers
- Containers made from easily recyclable plastic, such as PET (#1), HDPE (#2) and PP (#5)
![Styrofoam food container Styrofoam food container](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/food_avoid.jpg)
Avoid
- Polystyrene foam containers
- Hard-to-recycle plastic containers and lids, including those made with MFPP, compostable, biodegradable or oxo-degradable plastic
Utensils
![Reusable wooden chopsticks and metal spoon, knife and fork Reusable wooden chopsticks and metal spoon, knife and fork](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/utensils_best.jpg)
Best
- Reusable utensils for on-site dining including chopsticks
![Wooden chopsticks, fork, knife and spoon Wooden chopsticks, fork, knife and spoon](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/utensils_acceptable.jpg)
Acceptable
- Uncoated wood utensils, distributed only on request or at a self-serve station
![white plastic single-use fork, knife and spoon white plastic single-use fork, knife and spoon](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/utensils_avoid.jpg)
Avoid
- Plastic utensils, including those made with compostable, biodegradable or oxo-degradable plastic
Shopping bags
![white mesh bag white mesh bag](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/bags_best.jpg)
Best
- Reusable bags brought by customers
- Reusable bag program
![Blue cloth bag Blue cloth bag](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/bags_acceptable.jpg)
Acceptable
- Durable reusable bags on request for a minimum fee of $2
- Paper bags with at least 40% recycled content on on request for a fee or a minimum fee of $0.25
![](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/bags_avoid.jpg)
Avoid
Straws
![white reusable cup with blue lid white reusable cup with blue lid](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/straws_best.jpg)
Best
- Cups that don't require straws
![white and blue paper straw white and blue paper straw](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/straws_acceptable.jpg)
Acceptable
- Paper straws, distributed only on request or at a self-serve station
![white plastic straw white plastic straw](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/zero-waste/plastics/plastics-alternatives/straws_avoid.jpg)
Avoid
- Plastic straws (unless needed for accessibility) including those made with compostable, biodegradable or oxo-degradable plastic