Close X
Saturday, November 30, 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

Man riding an e-bike with no-helmet found with a loaded gun: VPD

Man riding an e-bike with no-helmet found with a loaded gun: VPD
Police in Vancouver say a 35-year-old man who was riding an e-bike with no-helmet was found with a loaded gun and 60-thousand dollars worth of drugs. Officers tried to stop the man for safety reasons over the weekend, but a chase began when the suspect left the bike and tried to run.   

Man riding an e-bike with no-helmet found with a loaded gun: VPD

CBC reaches tentative deal with union

CBC reaches tentative deal with union
The Canadian Media Guild says it has reached a tentative agreement with CBC/Radio Canada. In a statement, the union says the deal has been recommended by its bargaining committee and the details are currently being shared with its more than 4,400 members.

CBC reaches tentative deal with union

Pink Shirt Day must become a call to meaningful action against bullying

Pink Shirt Day must become a call to meaningful action against bullying
People across Canada are wearing pink today as a reminder to stand up against bullying. Premier David Eby says progress against bullying has been made, but there’s still a lot of work to do because it remains a pervasive problem on social media.

Pink Shirt Day must become a call to meaningful action against bullying

Overnight Burnaby fire kills one

Overnight Burnaby fire kills one
Police in Burnaby have confirmed a fire in a building overnight has killed one person. Burnaby RCMP say officers received a call from firefighters to assist at the scene near Metrotown Mall on Tuesday night. Police confirmed one fatality in the fire and that the B-C Coroners Service has taken over the investigation.  

Overnight Burnaby fire kills one

Warm but 'moody' spring expected across most of Canada: Weather Network forecast

Warm but 'moody' spring expected across most of Canada: Weather Network forecast
Most Canadians can look forward to a warmer-than-normal spring, but they should also brace for the season’s "profound mood swings," according to The Weather Network's latest outlook.  The forecast released Wednesday predicts that the unusually mild winter seen across much of the country thanks to El Niño conditions will pave the way for even more pleasant weather in the coming weeks, but not without some interruptions.  

Warm but 'moody' spring expected across most of Canada: Weather Network forecast

Vancouver's homeless count to go up

Vancouver's homeless count to go up
A new study by an advocacy group says the homeless population of Vancouver could go up to 4,700 people by 2030. The Carnegie Housing Project made the announcement Tuesday morning at Oppenheimer Park.

Vancouver's homeless count to go up