Province working on allowing municipalities to ban single-use plastic

The Government of BC plans is moving to approve bylaws banning single-use plastics in Richmond, Victoria, Saanich, Tofino and Ucluelet.

The Province said it will also consider other bylaws as they are submitted, laying the groundwork to allow municipalities to ban certain types of plastic products.

The Province is also proposing to draft a new regulation under the Community Charter to allow local governments to ban single-use plastics, such as shopping bags, plastic straws and polystyrene foam take-out containers, without requiring provincial approval.

“We will develop a legal framework to allow for provincial bans on single-use items, such as straws, take-out containers, shopping bags and other priority items. As we initiate this work, we will continue to consult to make sure solutions are manageable, take into consideration economic recovery and are phased in practically,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

The Province is also expanding the number of single-use products to be recycled through industry-funded residential recycling programs, including plastic cutlery, sandwich bags, stir sticks and other items.

The ministry is also exploring adding recycling programs for materials such as mattresses, electric-vehicle batteries, propane canisters and more.

It will also look to improve recycling of packaging in the industrial, commercial and institutional sector.

Working with Encorp Pacific (Return-It), the ministry is also introducing a minimum 10-cent deposit on all beverage containers.

Also, for the first time, milk and milk-alternative containers are scheduled to be added to the deposit and refund system.