Vancouver delays plastic-bag ban one year due to impact of COVID-19 on businesses
Posted December 10, 2020 2:05 pm.
Last Updated December 10, 2020 2:08 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A planned ban on plastic shopping bags and implementing fees on disposable cups in Vancouver has been postponed because of the pandemic.
A bylaw, which will prevent businesses from giving out plastic bags while forcing them to charge a 25-cent fee for single-use cups, has been pushed back by a year to Jan. 1, 2022.
In response to COVID-19 impacts on local businesses, Council has approved a revised start date of January 1, 2022 for the shopping bag and single-use cup by-laws. More details: https://t.co/OxOzpAcWJ9 pic.twitter.com/75eqJjkNOD
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) December 10, 2020
The city says businesses have been struggling financially this year and haven’t had a chance to prepare for the ban.
Before the pandemic, the plan had been to implement the ban next month.
In a statement, the city says it still remains committed to reducing waste from single-use items by 2040, but acknowledges significant economic challenges have prevented businesses from preparing for the new bylaws.
Outreach and education to help people and businesses shift away from single-use items and prepare for the new bylaws will continue, according to the city.
RELATED: Federal plastic ban could increase costs for Canadian businesses: CFIB
The federal government has also proposed a ban on single-use plastics, including grocery bags, stir sticks, six-pack rings, plastic utensils, and plastic straws. A plan won’t be finalized until next year.
For more information on the city’s single-use item bylaws, click here.
