B.C. phasing out single-use plastics, businesses have 6 months to use inventory

British Columbia is phasing out the use of a range of single-use and disposable plastics with businesses being given six months to use up their inventory.

Environment Minister George Heyman says the new regulation comes into effect in December and will cover plastic shopping bags, disposable food service accessories, degradable plastics and any packaging made of hard-to-recycle plastics.

The move will coincide with a federal government ban on the sales of plastic checkout bags, drinking straws, cutlery, stir sticks, ring carriers and food ware made from plastics.

Imports of these items were banned by the federal government in December last year.

Heyman says the province is also investing in technologies to turn used plastic into new products, which he says can create a healthier and more resilient environment for all British Columbians.

He says the province has already seen a number of business owners making shifts to reduce the use of plastic items, including restaurants using paper straws.

Heyman says the Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation is part of the government's broader CleanBC Plastics Action Plan, which includes a range of actions to reduce plastic waste.

“Focusing on hard-to-recycle single-use and plastic items will help move B.C. to a circular economy where waste and pollution are eliminated, products and materials are kept in the economy through reuse, and natural systems are regenerated,” Heyman said in a statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July. 14, 2023