New regulation in British Columbia targets single-use plastic items

Province of British Columbia sets single use plastic requirements
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

Lantech’s case sealing solutions for milk processing and packaging facility
Supplier News

Lantech’s case sealing solutions for milk processing and packaging facility

Milkco stainless steel CS1000 case study Milkco, a milk processing and packaging facility located...
Autopack to host biggest packaging machinery stand at PPMA Total 2025
Supplier News

Autopack to host biggest packaging machinery stand at PPMA Total 2025

Leading independent integrator of packaging lines Autopack will showcase a range of cutting-edge...
Bradman Lake to showcase powerhouse packaging solutions at Pack Expo Las Vegas
Supplier News

Bradman Lake to showcase powerhouse packaging solutions at Pack Expo Las Vegas

Bradman Lake, a global powerhouse in packaging technology, will be exhibiting at Pack Expo Las...
Epson showcases innovative on-demand colour labelling solutions at PPMA Show 2025
Supplier News

Epson showcases innovative on-demand colour labelling solutions at PPMA Show 2025

Epson is set to make a strong impact at this year’s PPMA Show at the NEC, 23-25 September 2025,...
San Francisco 49ers launch reusable cup scheme at Levi’s Stadium
Sustainability

San Francisco 49ers launch reusable cup scheme at Levi’s Stadium

The San Francisco 49ers have launched a new reusable cup programme at Levi’s Stadium in partnership...