B.C.'s Single-Use Plastics Rules Now In Effect.

B.C.'s single-use plastics rules are now in effect.

The next phase of the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan means plastic shopping bags will no longer be offered at stores. Oxo-degradable plastic packaging and single-use products will no longer be sold in the province.

It is estimated that more than 340,000 tonnes of plastic items and packaging were disposed of in British Columbia in 2019.

This equates to more than 65 kilograms of plastic waste per person sent to the landfill in one year.

The Province says phasing out single-use items is part of the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan to help us move away from temporary and disposable plastics to durable and reusable products.

The changes are the next step in Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation announced in July 2023, which limits the use of plastic shopping bags, disposable food-service accessories, oxo-degradable plastics, and food-service packaging made of polystyrene foam, PVC, PVDC, compostable and biodegradable plastics.

The changes will be gradually rolled out through July of 2030.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.