Community members heading to the grocery store or restaurants will need to start bringing their own shopping bags starting March 27.
Richmond businesses will be banned from using foam food service ware, plastic straws and plastic checkout bags under the new single-use plastic ban Bylaw No. 10000.
The ban also includes plastics that are biodegradable and compostable.
This new bylaw will eliminate 35 million pieces of banned items annually from disposal in Richmond, according to Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie.
“Reducing reliance on single-use plastic is integral to our City’s goal for a circular economy, and it’s also part of a global effort to protect the environment,” said Brodie.
“We can all make a difference by choosing reusable options and supporting our local businesses as they transition to acceptable alternatives.”
Unlike the City of Vancouver, which implemented a minimum fee of 15 cents for paper bags, Richmond will not mandate a charge for paper or reusable bags.
Rather, the City of Richmond has decided to give local businesses the decision to implement these fees.
City council adopted the single-use plastic ban bylaw in September 2021 to help reduce unnecessary plastic waste and pollution in Richmond.
Richmond city staff has been working with local businesses to help them prepare for the new bylaw implementation.
For more information on Bylaw 10000 and resources for business, visit www.richmond.ca/SingleUse.
