Victoria’s city council unanimously voted to prepare a bylaw to eliminate more single-use disposables and encourage reuse practices in local eateries.
The bylaw will require businesses only to distribute reusable utensils, stir sticks, straws, cups, etc., to customers when they are having food and drink.
This means cafes that serve all their drinks in paper cups will have to use ceramic mugs or some other reusable cup for coffee drinkers who drink in the cafe.
According to new data from a Capital Regional District (CRD) waste composition study, around 220,000 single-use items are thrown away daily in Victoria. The study also found that around 13% of Hartland Landfill’s materials are single-use items.
Once made and implemented, the new bylaw will complement federal and provincial bans on single-use items.
“The city’s garbage bins tell a story of needless waste,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. “I know Victorians want us to work together to do better.”
“Reusable alternatives to disposable single-use items have a clear benefit to the cleanliness of Victoria streets and parks and our environment.”
The city has been planning this move since 2019, when the goal was to reduce waste by 50% by 2040.
Some business owners in Victoria have already been working towards Victoria's goal, but they acknowledge there is always room for improvement.
“As a carbon-neutral company, we have always made it a priority to encourage reuse as often as possible,” said Shane Devereux, owner of Sherwood and Habit Coffee.
“Disposable items add up quickly, both in the landfill and as a cost; just one disposable coffee cup costs me 20 cents. I’m optimistic that these new policies will nudge consumers to think more about using convenience items.”
The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) approved the proposed bylaw, knowing it would help reduce businesses' costs and carbon footprint.
“The BCRFA would like to thank the staff at the City of Victoria for working with industry on the implementation of a single-use item reduction bylaw,” said Ian Tostenson, President of the BCRFA.
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