About Single-Use Items Bylaw

Richmond's Single-Use Plastics Ban
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has approved the City's Single-Use Plastic and Other Items Bylaw No. 10000 to ban:

• plastic checkout bags; 
• plastic straws; and 
• foam food service ware for prepared food (such as foam plates, clamshell containers, bowls and cups).

Due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, the City does not yet have an adoption date for Bylaw 10000. Depending on what happens with the pandemic, the City will assess the timing for adopting and implementing the Bylaw.

We all know it's better to avoid single-use items -- it's the right thing to do for our community and the environment. Bylaw 10000 remains a priority for the City; however, to be successful, we need businesses to join with us and move forward with commitment and support. Delaying implementation during this unusual and challenging time will strengthen our ability to make that happen and give business more opportunity to evaluate the alternatives that will work best for them.​

The federal Government of Canada is taking steps toward eliminating plastic pollution in Canada, including potentially banning or restricting certain harmful single-use products. A discussion paper has been published alongside consultation which concluded on December 9 2020. The City has provided feedback which is viewable in the table below.  For more details on federal action click here.

Next Steps:

• The City will re-engage the community at the appropriate time to establish the foundation to support future success of the Bylaw.
• Staff will also report back to share what was heard from local businesses and community members during the first phase of engagement which took place in late-2019.
• To support business, the City has shared a Discussion Guide as a valuable resource on good alternatives and tips on how to assess what will work form them.
• The City will continue to develop a tool kit and other outreach materials for use during the transition phase while timing for the Bylaw is determined. 

​Overview of Proposed Bylaw 10000
​​Proposed Single-use & Other Items Bylaw 10000
RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
Frequently Asked Questions

Why we need to reduce single-use plastic and other items

Here’s what we all know…

• Single-use items create unnecessary waste because they are barely used once before being tossed out.
• These items are lightweight in nature, which can result in them being blown into public spaces, as well as polluting oceans, lakes, rivers and streams.
• Huge amounts of plastic are used annually - 3.84 million tonnes each year in Canada alone, with only 9% actually collected for recycling.
• There are better alternatives – some are compostable or recyclable, others can be re-used multiple times.

Single-use is wasteful and not sustainable

• It’s time to shift to a circular economy, where the materials we use stay in circulation to be used, re-used and recycled multiple times into new products. 
• This shift from single-use to a circular economy is more sustainable because it reduces reliance on new raw materials and reduces waste going to landfills.
• Recycling is important, but reducing waste is essential.
• Low-grade plastic used in single-use items  cannot be recycled more than a couple times – at most – before they end up in the landfill.

 Reports are provided in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.

• News Release July 24, 2019 - Richmond takes lead to ban single-use plastics
• Resources for Businesses
• News Release October 16, 2019 - Richmond seeks business and public feedback on the ban of single-use plastic and other items
• New Release September 12, 2020 - Richmond to determine timing of Single-Use Plastic and Other Items Bylaw following Provincial approval