New regulation in British Columbia targets single-use plastic items

New regulation in British Columbia targets single-use plastic items

Sustainability

British Columbia is taking significant steps to address the issue of single-use and plastic waste through a new provincial regulation.

The Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation will address a range of items including shopping bags, disposable food service accessories, oxo-degradable plastics, and food service packaging made of polystyrene foam, PVC, PVDC, compostable or biodegradable plastics.

Starting in December 2023, the new requirements will be implemented gradually, allowing a six-month period for public and business awareness and the utilisation of existing inventory.

Since the launch of the CleanBC Action Plan in 2019, 21 municipalities in British Columbia have enacted bylaws to limit single-use plastics in their respective communities.

The federal government is also taking action by prohibiting the manufacturing and importing of six harmful single-use plastic items, including plastic checkout bags, drinking straws, cutlery, stir sticks, ring carriers, and food-service ware made from plastics. Sales of these items will be banned from December 20, 2023.

Province of British Columbia sets single use plastic requirements
Province sets single-use plastic requirements © Province of British Columbia (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

British Columbia's regulation goes further in curbing the use of various single-use items, encouraging the adoption of reusable alternatives, and ultimately reducing emissions, water consumption, waste, litter, and pollution associated with disposable products.

By prioritising reusables over disposables, British Columbia aims to make a positive impact on environmental sustainability.

George V. Harvie, chair, Metro Vancouver board of directors, said: The region's residents disposed of 1.3 billion single-use items in 2022, and reducing waste while maximising the reuse, recycling, and recovery of materials is a significant focus of Metro Vancouver's work. We applaud this provincial regulatory framework for single-use and plastic items, which will help us achieve reduction goals and address the challenges with compostables and hard-to-recycle plastics.

Latest Packaging News

Cadbury unveils temperature-activated packaging for summer bars
Technology

Cadbury unveils temperature-activated packaging for summer bars

Cadbury is set to launch a new range of Dairy Milk chocolate bars featuring innovative...
New SynTiso line concept from Syntegon revolutionises liquid pharmaceutical filling
Supplier News

New SynTiso line concept from Syntegon revolutionises liquid pharmaceutical filling

At Pharmatag 2025 in Crailsheim, Syntegon presented a new line concept for liquid pharmaceuticals....
Lantech to showcase next-generation packaging technologies at Drinktec, Fachpack and Pack Expo 2025
Supplier News

Lantech to showcase next-generation packaging technologies at Drinktec, Fachpack and Pack Expo 2025

Global leader in secondary packaging equipment, Lantech is preparing for a series of three trade...
Major FMCG companies withdraw from US Plastics Pact ahead of 2030 targets
Business

Major FMCG companies withdraw from US Plastics Pact ahead of 2030 targets

Several leading consumer goods companies — including Walmart, Nestlé, Mars, Mondelēz International,...
UK hospitality sector urges delay and rethink of EPR policy over cost concerns
Business

UK hospitality sector urges delay and rethink of EPR policy over cost concerns

Leaders in the UK hospitality industry have raised serious concerns about the financial...