Single-Use Plastics Regulations

 The Government of Canada’s Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations came into effect December 20, 2022. The first stage of these regulations is the prohibition of the manufacture and import for sale of problematic plastics, as defined by the Regulations. 

The Regulations are part of the Government of Canada’s plan to meet its target of zero plastic waste by 2030, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There are 6 categories of plastic items targeted by the regulations: 

  1. Checkout bags – designed to carry purchased goods from a business and typically given to a customer at the retail point of sale

  2. Cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, sporks and chopsticks

  3. Foodservice ware designed for service or transporting food or beverages

  4. Ring carriers – flexible and designed to surround beverage containers in order to carry them

  5. Stir sticks- for stirring beverages or for the prevention of spillage from the lid

  6. Straws including straight drinking straws & flexible straws. The federal Regulations note exceptions for single-use plastic flexible straws. 
    Single-use plastic straws that are not flexible are prohibited under all circumstances

 

What does this mean for businesses and residents?

 

Businesses:

 Checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks and straws (excluding the exceptions)

  • Manufacture and import for sale in Canada prohibited as of December 20, 2022
  • Sale of items prohibited as of December 20, 2023
  • Manufacture, import and sale for export prohibited as of December 20, 2025

Ring Carriers

  • Manufacture and import for sale in Canada prohibited as of June 20, 2023
  • Sale of items prohibited as of June 20, 2024
  • Manufacture, import, and sale for export prohibited as of December 20, 2025

Flexible straws packaged with beverage containers

  • Manufacture and import for sale in Canada not prohibited
  • Sale of items prohibited as of June 20, 2024
  • Manufacture, import and sale for export prohibited as of December 20, 2025

 

Residents:

As of January 1, 2023, the BC Recycling Regulation covers more single-use items and packaging products. This change ensures that the items listed for prohibition that are in circulation can be recycled, and not end up in the landfill. Take a look at the City of Courtenay recycling page for a full list of items that can be recycled in your curbside bin and at local depots.

Courtenay Single Use Plastics Regulation:

On July 1, 2019, the City of Courtenay adopted a bylaw to regulate single-use plastics in Courtenay.

Single-use plastics generally refer to plastic products that are considered disposable and only used once before they are recycled or more commonly thrown away. 

Frequently Asked Questions - Single-Use Plastics Regulations

While the City still encourages the transition away from single use plastics, Council passed the following resolution:

That based on the December 16, 2019 staff report “Single Use Plastics Regulation Bylaw 2970, 2019 – Enforcement Provisions”, Council direct staff not to enforce Bylaw 2970, 2019 beginning March 31, 2020, pending more certainty of the regulatory approaches of the Provincial and Federal Governments; and

That Council direct staff to post notice on the City of Courtenay website advising that the City of Courtenay will not enforce penalties for committing an offence on the effective date identified in Section 8 of Bylaw No. 2970, 2019; pending the Supreme Court of Canada's decision on the validity of Victoria's plastic bag bylaw, and/or the outcome of the regulatory approaches proposed by the Provincial and Federal Governments.

 

Background: Courtenay Single-Use Plastics Regulations

Online questionnaires in spring 2019 surveyed residents and businesses seeking feedback on the proposed bylaw. The bylaw was adopted by Courtenay City Council on June 17, 2019.

Resident Survey [PDF - 78 KB]
Business Survey [PDF - 93 KB]