Reducing single-use items

In 2023, the new federal and provincial regulations that restrict some single-use items - such as takeout containers and checkout bags - will come into effect. We're offering a zero waste coaching program for local businesses to help prepare for these upcoming changes.

One-on-one coaching on upcoming regulations and zero waste for businesses

The Zero Waste Coaching for Businesses program offers one-on-one coaching to discuss questions you may have about the upcoming restrictions on single-use items. It also gives advice on selecting the most sustainable alternative products, information about options for reusable takeout packaging, and suggestions for reducing the waste your business generates and increasing how much is diverted from the landfill.

We're offering this program in partnership with the City of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver, and the non-profit Ocean Ambassadors Canada.

If you’re interested in zero waste coaching for your business, contact zerowaste@oceanambassadorscanada.org.  

More about single-use items

Single-use items are things you use once for a brief time, and then throw away. About 1.1 billion single-use items are discarded each year across Metro Vancouver, which is the equivalent of 440 items per person. 

While there're many types of single-use items such as balloons, cigarette butts, and cotton swabs, the upcoming single-use restrictions mostly target checkout bags, and items commonly used for takeout food.

How do single-use items impact you?

Collecting discarded single-use items from public spaces impacts municipal infrastructure and services, and costs taxpayers millions of dollars per year. Single-use waste can also harm the environment when items enter storm drains, pumps, local streams, and ultimately the ocean.

Product and purchasing guidelines for foodservice businesses

Government updates on single-use regulations

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