Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy

Single-Use Item Reduction Update: July 16, 2024

In April 2022, the City introduced one of the most comprehensive single-use item reduction bylaws in BC, which significantly reduced waste from single-use items in our community including shopping bags, foam take-out cups/containers, utensils and straws. 

In recent months, provincial and federal legislation has come into effect which provides a more consistent approach to reducing waste from single-use items and plastics throughout BC. As of July 15, 2024, the provincial and federal legislation goes beyond what was regulated under the City's Single-Use Item Reduction Bylaw and the City is very supportive of these broad efforts to reduce unecessary waste and litter.   

 On July 16, 2024, Council approved repealing the City's Single-Use Item Reduction Bylaw to avoid redundancy with provincial and federal legislation. 

Click here for an overview of the provincial and federal single-use plastic regulations. 

For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding single-use items regulation in BC, please contact: [email protected].

Provincial Regulations

On December 6, 2023, the BC government announced the phased implementation of the Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation as follows:

• December 20, 2023: Restrictions on food service accessories such as utensils, straws, stir sticks, cup lids and sleeves, condiments, napkins, wet wipes, and garnishes
• July 15, 2024: Restrictions on shopping bags, food service ware, food packaging, and oxo-degradable plastics. - Minimum 40% recycled content for paper bags, and minimum fees for paper ($0.25), and reusable ($2) shopping bags. Note: the minimum fee for paper bags does not apply to drive-through or delivery food orders.
• July 1, 2028: Restrictions on PVC film wrap
• July 1, 2030: Restrictions on foam meat trays

The provincial government has prepared factsheets and resources for businesses to facilitate education.

Click here to explore the provincial Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation and resources further.

Federal Regulations

The Government of Canada has introduced the Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, effectively banning the sale and distribution of the following single-use plastic items:

• December 20, 2023: Shopping bags, cutlery, straws, stir sticks, and take-out containers made from specific “problematic” plastics
• June 20, 2024: Ring carriers and flexible plastic straws attached to beverage containers

On November 16, 2023, a federal court ruled against the federal regulations. The federal government is currently appealing this decision, a court case for the appeal took place on June 25, 2024, with the outcome pending. The federal legislation remains in effect at this time.

Click here to explore the federal Single-Use Plastic Prohibition further.

Assistance and Enforcement

For help with provincial regulations email: [email protected]

For help with federal regulations email: [email protected]

Background

Why is single-use a problem?

It’s easy to see the appeal of single-use items: Use it once, then toss it out.

But while these items are intended for short-term, single-use, they can take hundreds of years to decompose, contaminating our waterways, polluting our communities and filling up our landfills. Some items are recyclable, but due to material composition, many single-use items are confusing and/or hard to recycle. As a result, single-use items contribute directly to the amount of plastic in landfills.

Aside from creating waste, single-use items require significant resources like water and energy to be produced. The production process creates greenhouse gases, which can contribute to climate change. Their reusable counterparts also require resources, but thankfully last much, much longer.

How can we reduce single-use items?

There are different ways to reduce single-use items, and Chilliwack’s strategy includes a combination of regulatory and educational components.  

The City encourages all residents and businesses to consider how they can start reducing single-use items. To see more resources on how you can help reduce single-use items click here.

Consultation

Consultation with residents and businesses took place in 2019, 2020, and 2021 - thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback! Overall, our consultation within the community found high levels of support for single-use item reduction initiatives, including education, regulations, and measures that make it easier to bring reusable alternatives to businesses.