While improving recycling is crucial, we cannot recycle our way out of the plastics issues we currently face. Elimination of problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging through redesign, innovation, and new delivery models is a priority. Reuse models need to be applied where relevant, reducing the need for single-use packaging.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Initiative

Proposed changes

Single-use items are things designed to be used once and disposed of. These can include disposable coffee cups, takeout containers, stir-sticks, wooden chopsticks and utensils. To reduce single-use item waste and encourage the regular use of reusable products, the District is considering the following changes requiring that food service businesses:

  • Use only reusable products for dine-in services (excluding portable food vendors)

How can I provide feedback?

We are looking to hear from local food service businesses to inform the specifics of the regulations, including the length of the implementation period, challenges it may pose, and support that your business may need in implementing these changes. We invite you to provide feedback and ask questions through the following methods:


How did we get here?

The Zero Waste Action Plan is Squamish’s plan to transition to a future where products and materials are avoided, reduced and reused. Restricting or eliminating single-use items where sustainable or reusable alternatives exist, while meeting accessibility needs, is an important action to curb our waste footprint. Single-use items include a range of products that are designed for a single use and typically disposed of after one or a few uses. These items include bags, coffee cups, takeout containers, cutlery, straws and stir sticks.

The District of Squamish’s single-use item bylaw was adopted on February 15, 2022 and regulates checkout bags, straws, takeout styrofoam containers and plastic utensils. Squamish businesses and residents have demonstrated a strong commitment to minimize plastic waste in the community and shift to regular use of reusable bags. The District is now building on this momentum, with strategies to eliminate additional single-use items, support reusable container services, and reduce waste and litter in public places.

In the Zero Waste Action Plan, it was noted that the bylaws for single-use items could still be improved over time, for example requiring dine-in at food retailers to be done with reusable food service ware, etc.

Banning or restricting harmful single-use plastic products - scientifically proven to cause environmental harm, according to Canada’s Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution - is an important step towards reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and littered into the natural environment.

We hope you will join us in educating yourself and others about single-use plastic; and if you are a business, contribute by filling out our survey to help us understand anything we might be missing in the implementation of this bylaw.