Single-use plastic bags banned as next round of B.C. plastic regulations kicks in
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/07/2024 (508 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
VICTORIA – Plastic shopping bags and other single-use products are no longer available at British Columbia stores as the government implements the latest step in its plan to phaseout certain plastic items and keep harmful chemicals out of landfills.
Businesses may no longer provide single-use plastic shopping bags, and they must charge a minimum of $2 for new reusable bags or 25 cents for new paper bags.
A statement from the province says food-service businesses are also restricted from distributing single-use containers with certain plastics that are hard to recycle, including “biodegradable” and “compostable” plastics as well as polystyrene foam.
Food-service businesses have been barred from offering disposable plastic utensils since December 2023, with some exceptions, such as plastic lids for drinks.
Oxo-degradable plastic packaging has also been banned.
The province says products made of oxo-degradable plastics are often marketed as biodegradable, green, or eco-friendly, but they contain chemicals that cause the material to break down into tiny microplastics that pollute the environment.
To support a smooth transition, the province says businesses can use PVC film wrap until 2028 and polystyrene meat trays can be used for raw meat until 2030.
The changes come after B.C. introduced its single-use and plastic waste prevention regulation in July 2023, with the first restrictions taking effect last December.
The Opposition BC United issued a statement Monday saying the fees for reusable or paper bags are “punitive” and hurt consumers in the middle of an affordability crisis.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2024.