In case you missed the memo, a ban on plastic and compostable plastic shopping bags went into effect January 1, 2022. With this also comes fees on paper and new reusable shopping bags, a minimum of $0.15 for paper bags and $1.00 for reusable bags. These fees are scheduled to increase in 2023 to $0.25 for paper bags and $2.00 per reusable shopping bag.
Why the ban? In case you hadn’t heard waste from plastic bags pose a serious environmental danger to human and animal health. Did you know in 2018, 89 million plastic shopping bags and 4 million paper shopping bags were thrown away in the garbage in Vancouver. According to the Great Canadian Shore Cleanup, plastics bags with the 6th most common type of litter found on the shorelines in 2019.
For more information on the City’s new by-laws and some exemptions that apply to facilities such as hospitals, pharmacies and community care facilities, visit the City of Vancouver.
If you need to stock up on some styling reusable sturdy totes, visit ILiveInEastVan online for a selection of canvas and nylon totes.