City Adopts New Bylaw to Reduce Single-Use Items

The City of Victoria has adopted a new bylaw to significantly reduce the distribution of single-use items and make reusable plates, cups and cutlery commonplace in local restaurants. The bylaw, developed in collaboration with the restaurant industry, will scale back unnecessary landfill waste.

Following approval from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in July 2024, Council today voted to adopt the Single-Use Items Reduction Bylaw.

"This is a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering a circular economy," said Mayor Marianne Alto. "The new bylaw will reduce waste, lessen the strain on our regional landfill, and create a cleaner community for residents and visitors."

The bylaw, which will be phased in between December 2024 and March 2026, will require businesses to distribute food ware accessories - including utensils, stir sticks, condiments and straws - only when requested and to serve food and beverages in reusable dishware to customers who will be dining on-site. This bylaw will complement new federal and provincial restrictions on single-use plastics.

Over 220,000 single-use items are thrown away in Victoria every day. Packaging materials, including single-use items, add up to 17 per cent of the material currently sent to Hartland Landfill. The City's bylaw is anticipated to eliminate up to 60 million single-use items from being distributed each year.

The City has been engaging with the business community and related stakeholders on the reduction of single-use items since 2019.

"The BCRFA would like to thank the team at the City of Victoria for working with industry on the implementation of a single-use items reduction bylaw," said Ian Tostenson, President of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association. "The City team took a careful and cautious approach to developing a bylaw that is fair and addresses the importance of reducing single-use items. We look forward to working with the City to continue to develop a thriving and growing restaurant industry."

Reducing single-use items is a priority under Zero Waste Victoria, the City's plan to reduce waste by 50 per cent by 2040.

For more information, visit victoria.ca/reduce.

Media Contact:
Colleen Mycroft
Manager, Intergovernmental and Media Relations
250.896.5325 | [email protected]