B.C. Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation

SPI analysis Our reading of the official source above. Not legal advice; always rely on the official text.

SPI summary

Since 15 July 2024 businesses in B.C. may not sell or distribute single-use food service ware made of polystyrene foam, PVC, PVDC, biodegradable or oxo-degradable plastic, with some exemptions to 2028 and 2030; compostable plastic shopping bags and take-out containers are also banned. Restrictions on food service accessories began on 20 December 2023.

In practice

All B.C. businesses selling or distributing food service ware may not use polystyrene foam, PVDC, biodegradable or oxo-degradable plastic for it since 15 July 2024, and food service providers also cannot use compostable plastic for take-out and delivery containers. Single-use plastic shopping bags are barred, with minimum charges of $0.25 for paper and $2.00 for reusable bags. Converters supplying B.C. food service and retail customers are most affected, with later deadlines for PVC film wrap (2028) and foam meat trays (2030).

What to do and by when

1. NowCheck B.C. food service ware lines for foam, PVDC and degradable plastics.
2. NowMap which customers are food service providers subject to the compostable-plastic restriction.
3. 1 July 2028Plan replacement of PVC film wrap supplied into B.C.
4. 1 July 2030Plan alternatives to foam trays for raw meat and seafood.

Related rules

• PR-CA-001 Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SOR/2022-138)
  Federal single-use plastics bans apply in B.C. in parallel.
• PR-CA-004 British Columbia packaging and paper product EPR (Recycle BC)
  Same province; food service ware is also obligated under Recycle BC.
• PR-US-012 Washington expanded polystyrene foam ban
  Washington's EPS food service ban, a neighbouring restriction.
• PR-US-013 Oregon polystyrene foam and PFAS foodware ban (SB 543)
  Oregon's polystyrene foam foodware ban, a similar materials-based restriction.

Where the record is unclear

• The B.C. factsheet and webpage do not state penalties or enforcement approach.
• Exact definitions of compostable versus biodegradable plastic sit in B.C. Reg. 254/2023, which was not reviewed in full.

Sources for this note

1. B.C. Government: Food service ware regulation factsheet Consulted 13 October 2026
2. B.C. Government: Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation Consulted 13 October 2026

Note written by the SPI team on 13 October 2026.

Where it sits in the tracker

• One of 6 packaging rules we track in Canada, of which 2 are ban rules.
• In all, 17 ban rules are tracked across 11 jurisdictions. Compare them below

Company profiles that map to this rule

Companies whose SPI profile lists this rule in its regulatory exposure, based on where they report selling. Not company-reported.

• McDonald's
• Starbucks
• Walmart