Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Single-use plastic bags banned as next round of B.C. plastic regulations kicks in

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Jul, 2024 03:21 PM
  • Single-use plastic bags banned as next round of B.C. plastic regulations kicks in

Plastic shopping bags and other single-use products are no longer available at British Columbia stores as the government implements the latest step in its plan to phaseout certain plastic items and keep harmful chemicals out of landfills.

Businesses may no longer provide single-use plastic shopping bags, and they must charge a minimum of $2 for new reusable bags or 25 cents for new paper bags.

A statement from the province says food-service businesses are also restricted from distributing single-use containers with certain plastics that are hard to recycle, including "biodegradable" and "compostable" plastics as well as polystyrene foam.

Food-service businesses have been barred from offering disposable plastic utensils since December 2023, with some exceptions, such as plastic lids for drinks.

Oxo-degradable plastic packaging has also been banned.

The province says products made of oxo-degradable plastics are often marketed as biodegradable, green, or eco-friendly, but they contain chemicals that cause the material to break down into tiny microplastics that pollute the environment. 

To support a smooth transition, the province says businesses can use PVC film wrap until 2028 and polystyrene meat trays can be used for raw meat until 2030.

The changes come after B.C. introduced its single-use and plastic waste prevention regulation in July 2023, with the first restrictions taking effect last December.

The Opposition BC United issued a statement Monday saying the fees for reusable or paper bags are "punitive" and hurt consumers in the middle of an affordability crisis.

MORE National ARTICLES

Bank card scam in Burnaby

Bank card scam in Burnaby
Mounties are warning of the latest bank card scam that has taken in a few people in Burnaby. Police say they've had five reports of people getting calls from someone saying their bank or credit card had been compromised.   

Bank card scam in Burnaby

Female dead in Sooke

Female dead in Sooke
Police in Sooke say a female has died after being struck by a vehicle. R-C-M-P say the incident happened at about 5:30 this morning. Police say emergency responders attempted to save the woman, but she didn't survive.

Female dead in Sooke

Assault of teenage boy in park

Assault of teenage boy in park
Mounties in North Vancouver are probing the alleged sexual assault of a teenage boy inside a public park last week. Investigators with North Vancouver R-C-M-P say the suspect approached the teen from behind and sexually assaulted the youth at the Inter River Park washroom.  

Assault of teenage boy in park

'Very dangerous': avalanche warning issued as heavy snowfall hits B.C.

'Very dangerous': avalanche warning issued as heavy snowfall hits B.C.
Avalanche Canada has issued a warning for wide swaths of the British Columbia Interior into parts of Alberta, with "very dangerous" conditions forecast to persist until Monday. The warning applies for mountainous regions of southwestern and northwestern B.C., as well as the eastern part of the province including the Rockies into Alberta's Kananaskis Country.  

'Very dangerous': avalanche warning issued as heavy snowfall hits B.C.

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney dead at 84, says daughter

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney dead at 84, says daughter
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney is dead at the age of 84, his daughter Caroline says in a social media post. The country's 18th prime minister died peacefully and surrounded by family, she said in a post on X. 

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney dead at 84, says daughter

Converter theft in Richmond

Converter theft in Richmond
The City of Richmond, Mounties, and the Insurance Corporation of B-C are teaming up to help fight the growing problem of catalytic converter thefts and their illegal sales. Participating automotive shops in Richmond will now etch the last eight digits of the vehicle identification number on the converters during routine maintenance appointments at no extra cost.

Converter theft in Richmond