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Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation

Last updated on April 25, 2024

Through the Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation, B.C. is phasing out certain single-use and plastic items to reduce waste and pollution. Learn about the regulation and how it impacts you.

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The Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation

The Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation (PDF, 586 KB) provides a framework to:

  • Phase out certain single-use and plastic items
  • Address waste and pollution in B.C.

Under the regulation, plastic means all plastics, including compostable and biodegradable plastics.

Regulation timeline

  • December 20, 2023: Restrictions on food service accessories
  • July 15, 2024: Restrictions on plastic shopping bags, food service ware and oxo-degradable plastics. Minimum fees on alternative shopping bags
  • July 1, 2028: Restriction on PVC film wrap
  • July 1, 2030: Restrictions on polystyrene foam meat trays

Learn more about each section of the regulation:

Coming soon: Factsheets about each section of the regulations in 繁體中文, 简体中文, Français, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ and Tagalog

Shopping bags

Businesses can no longer provide customers with single-use plastic shopping bags. As of July 15, 2024, businesses must also charge $2.00 for new reusable shopping bags and $0.25 for new paper shopping bags.

Certain bags, like those available in-store for fruit and vegetables, are not considered shopping bags. These may be offered free of charge.

Learn more about the regulation in the shopping bags factsheet (PDF, 1.1 MB).

Food service accessories

Food service providers can no longer offer single-use (disposable) plastic utensils. Food service providers can give out other disposable items, like wooden spoons, only on request.

Food service accessories include utensils, straws, napkins, condiments, garnishes and drink cup lids and sleeves.

To request a disposable food service accessory, a customer may:

  • Ask for the item
  • Take it from a self-serve station
  • Accept it when offered by staff or through an online form

Learn more about the regulation in the food service accessories factsheet (PDF, 525KB)

Food service ware

As of July 15, 2024, businesses are restricted from selling or distributing single-use food service ware made with certain hard-to-recycle plastics. See the list of restricted plastics below.

Food service ware includes:

  • Disposable take-out containers
  • Some packaging used to hold food and drinks
    • This includes certain bowls, boxes, cartons, cups, plates, platters, trays, hinged containers, lidded containers, egg cartons, and film wrap

Hard-to-recycle plastics include: 

To allow for a smooth transition, businesses can use PVC film wrap until 2028. Polystyrene foam meat trays can be used to package raw protein, in a state not ready to be eaten, until 2030. 

Learn more about the regulation in the food service ware factsheet (PDF, 1.1MB).

Oxo-degradable plastics

As of July 15, 2024, businesses can no longer sell or distribute any packaging or single-use (disposable) products that contain oxo-degradable plastic.

Products containing oxo-degradable plastics are often marketed as biodegradable, green, or eco-friendly. However, oxo-degradable plastics contain additives that break down into microplastics that pollute the environment.

Learn more about the regulation in the oxo-degradable factsheet (PDF, 533KB).

Compostable plastics

Businesses can no longer sell or distribute single-use (disposable) utensils that contain compostable plastic. As of July 15, 2024, compostable plastic shopping bags and take-out containers will also be banned.

Compostable plastics need specific conditions to break down. In B.C., they often cannot be composted or recycled. Instead, they end up in the landfill. Until these products can be easily composted in B.C.’s composting facilities, recyclable items are a better option.

Learn more about the regulation in the compostable plastics factsheet (PDF, 676KB).

Compliance and Enforcement

We encourage all businesses to take reasonable steps to follow the regulation. To support this, we’re focused on ongoing education, outreach and raising awareness of the requirements. Businesses must follow all relevant local, provincial and federal laws.

All B.C. businesses must follow the regulation. To report a known or suspected violation, email plastics@gov.bc.ca.

Please include:

  • The name of the business/organization
  • The address
  • The date and nature of the violation

British Columbia’s environmental compliance model uses a consistent, risk-based approach to ensure compliance.

Contact information

Get in touch if you need help or want more information.
 

Email
Plastics@gov.bc.ca