FAQs

Single-use items include a range of products that are designed for a single use and typically disposed of after one or a few uses. These items include bags, coffee cups, takeout containers, cutlery, straws and stir sticks

While these items provide convenience, they come at a cost. Over 75,000 single-use items are thrown out everyday in Victoria. Some are recycled but many end up in our regional landfill. Single-use packaging is a key contributor to the plastic pollution crisis. These plastic materials are scientifically proven to cause environmental harm, according to Canada’s Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution. It is estimated that the ocean currently contains 150 million tonnes of plastic , which is mostly preventable packaging.

Yes. The BC CDC has specific information for grocery stores, restaurants and other food premises for employers and workers on the safety of reusable bags and containers here:

http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/employers-businesses/food-businesses

Regulating single-use items is an action in Council’s Strategic Plan and was identified as a short-term priority under Zero Waste Victoria .   As a result of recent announcements from the federal and provincial governments detailing their plans, and confirmation from the BC Centre for Disease Control that reusable products continue to be safe for use, staff now consider that it is an appropriate time to seek community feedback on the City’s next steps to reduce waste from single-use items.

Community feedback on the Consultation Paper is open from October 20 to November 22. Outcomes of the consultation and online survey will help inform the development of future staff recommendations and options for Council’s consideration to reduce single-use item waste. The consultation will also be used to identify whether additional, more targeted outreach is required with specific sectors of the community. 

A report to Council with staff recommendations to reduce single-use items and encourage reusable alternatives is planned for early 2022.

Biodegradable and compostable plastic food ware is designed to be single-use and consumes significant resources and energy in production, just as conventional single-use plastic and paper does.  Even if labelled as certified, these biodegradable and compostable plastic materials do not decompose as designed in our regional compost facilities. Most compostable plastics are screened out at regional composting facilities and sent to the landfill. Most compostable plastics are not recyclable either and can contaminate the recycling stream.