Vancouver plastic bag ban, single-use fees start New Year’s Day
Posted January 1, 2022 10:21 am.
Last Updated January 2, 2022 3:01 pm.
Vancouverites won’t want to forget their reusable shopping bags and mugs starting New Year’s Day.
As of Jan. 1, Vancouver businesses can no longer offer plastic bags and customers will be charged for all single-use items and new reusable bags.
The City of Vancouver is requiring all businesses to charge at least $0.25 for disposable cups, $0.15 for paper bags, and $1 for a new reusable shopping bags. The minimum cost of paper bags will go up to $0.25 and $2 for resusable ones in 2023 . Restaurants can choose to charge more than the baseline fee.
The changes are the “right decision” for the environment, according to Justin Tisdall, the co-owner of Juke Fried Chicken and the vegan restaurant, BeetBox.
“Business should have probably been doing this since the start. Since we opened in 2016, everything we’ve done has been 100 per cent compostable, recyclable, whatever we can do,” he said. “I think starting Jan. 1, 2022 might be harder for some people just dealing with this pandemic, all the costs of good is increasing, but that’s part of the new business.”
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Switching containers may be a bit of a challenge for some businesses, he says, adding supply chain issues may not help the situation. However, he offers some advice to businesses on how to streamline their packaged goods.
“Instead of having 20 or 30 different kinds of items being packaged, still keep those items, but figure out how to package them in similar containers and do your research,” he said. “Try to find the people who offer you the best price, breaks on quantity, but we can’t really compromise on the environment.”
Don't forget your reusable bags and coffee cups if you're heading out in Vancouver. The city's ban on plastic bags and fees for single-use items (coffee cups, paper bags etc) goes into effect today. https://t.co/VFXf6ZRQp3
— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) January 1, 2022
Tisdall says he’s also willing to work with those in the community for whom the extra charge may be a burden, including those without stable income or housing. However, he also hopes the City has patience.
“Hopefully the government give people a little bit of time to adjust because the world’s not the same as it once was when these bills were passed,” he said. “People are going to take some time to figure out what pakcaging works, if they can even get these packages they need to do the new model of take out.”
According to the City, the fees are meant to reduce waste and promote the use of reusable items yet.
“Businesses keep the fees from cups and shopping bags and are encouraged to use them to cover the cost of complying with the by-laws (e.g. software updates, staff training) and to invest in reusable alternatives, such as dishwashers, reusable cup-share or “take-a-bag, leave-a-bag” programs,” the City wrote in a statement sent out New Year’s Eve.
In the same statement, the City said no staff would be available to comment on the changes until Jan. 4.
(Click to enlarge. Courtesy City of Vancouver)
The City recommends people bring their own cups for to-go drinks or ask for reusable ones if they plan to stay.
“The City has worked with Vancouver Coastal Health to ensure that “contactless cup” procedures, which are used in cities around the world, can be used during COVID-19 to safely serve drinks in customers’ cups,” the City wrote.
Every year, food vendors must now also report the number of single-use cups distributed at every location with a business license unless the location it taking part in a reusable cup-share program.
Yearly paper bag distribution must be reported if the city asks a business to do so.
Due to the extenuating circumstances brought on by the pandemic, the city says staff are focusing on outreach and education of the new laws. However, businesses found deliberately not following the rules could be slapped with an initial $500 fine per offence, a $10,000 per offence if it goes to court, and have their business licence revoked.
Charitable food services can continue to use single-use items during the pandemic, but are expected to switch as soon as possible.
Vancouver banned foam cups and take out containers on Jan. 1, 2020. Later in the year plastic straws were also banned except in cases where they are requested by a customer due to accessibility requirements.
Nearly 15 billion plastic bags are used annually in Canada.
