Close X
Saturday, November 23, 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

More rental housing units to come for Surrey

More rental housing units to come for Surrey
Construction is underway for more affordable rental housing units in Surrey. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says seniors, families and adults living with disabilities in the city will soon get access to dozens more units as construction is underway on the Harmony Apartments.

More rental housing units to come for Surrey

Sikh activists burn Modi effigy on anniversary of B.C. temple leader Nijjar's murder

Sikh activists burn Modi effigy on anniversary of B.C. temple leader Nijjar's murder
Sikh activists marked the anniversary of the killing of British Columbia temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar by holding a mock murder trial for Indian President Narendra Modi Tuesday outside the Indian consulate in downtown Vancouver. An effigy of Modi, dressed in prison stripes, was paraded down the street in a makeshift cage before the mock trial began on Tuesday. 

Sikh activists burn Modi effigy on anniversary of B.C. temple leader Nijjar's murder

Fire at Nanaimo supportive housing displaced more than 50 people

Fire at Nanaimo supportive housing displaced more than 50 people
More than 50 people from a supportive-housing complex in Nanaimo were displaced Sunday after a fire in a mattress that was started by a cigarette. Troy Libbus, Nanaimo Fire Rescue's assistant chief, said their crew responded to an alarm at Samaritan Place, a supportive-housing complex that has 51 units. 

Fire at Nanaimo supportive housing displaced more than 50 people

Man convicted of murder 20 years ago dies in B.C. prison

Man convicted of murder 20 years ago dies in B.C. prison
A man convicted of first-degree murder for killing his business partner in Port Coquitlam in 1994 has died in prison. Correctional Service Canada says David Anthony Lowe, an inmate at William Head Institution near Victoria, died of apparent natural causes last week. 

Man convicted of murder 20 years ago dies in B.C. prison

One dead in Burnaby stabbing

One dead in Burnaby stabbing
Police in Burnaby say homicide investigators are looking for any witnesses or dash-camera footage after a fatal stabbing yesterday evening. Burnaby R-C-M-P say officers responded to a report of a stabbing along 1st Avenue near Ingleton Avenue at around 6:15 p-m. 

One dead in Burnaby stabbing

Shoplifting at Burnaby mall

Shoplifting at Burnaby mall
Mounties in Burnaby say their community response team arrested six shoplifters after being deployed to one of the city’s malls for six hours. Police say nearly 75-hundred-dollars worth of stolen items was recovered and returned to retailers. 

Shoplifting at Burnaby mall