Canada
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Vancouver's single-use cup fee to be dropped May 1

Coffee shops and other food and beverage vendors will no longer charge a 25 cent fee for a single-use cup

People with disposable coffee cups outside a Starbucks coffee shop on Water Street in Vancouver, BC Wednesday , February 9, 2022.
People with disposable coffee cups outside a Starbucks coffee shop on Water Street in Vancouver, BC Wednesday , February 9, 2022. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

The City of Vancouver has repealed its single-use cup fee effective May 1.

This means that as of that date coffee shops and other food and beverage vendors will no longer charge a 25 cent fee for a single-use cup.

Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion delivered straight to your inbox at 7 a.m., Monday to Friday.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

According to a city statement, businesses will also no longer be required to report the number of single-use beverage cups used when renewing their business licence or accept customers’ clean reusable cups for drinks ordered in-store.

All these rules were implemented in January 2022 through licence bylaw number 4450. All money from the cups was retained by the retailers and not submitted to the city.

Critics said the program wasn’t successful in discouraging the use of single-use cups and unfairly penalized vulnerable people in the community, while supporters believe scrapping the fee is a step backwards in waste-reduction strategies.

“Food vendors are encouraged to remove the cup fee from their in-store, online, and mobile point of sale systems, menus and receipts by May 1,” the statement read.

“City staff are taking steps in the coming weeks to inform businesses, residents and other impacted stakeholders regarding this change. A letter explaining the repeal of the cup requirements will be sent to all Vancouver food vendors with information on how to get help in other languages.”

Existing bylaws for shopping bags, straws, utensils and foam cups/containers remain in place.

The city is encouraging businesses to still accept customers’ clean reusable cups for takeout drinks, but it is no longer an order.

dcarrigg@postmedia.com

Support our journalism: Our in-depth journalism is possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. For just $3.50 per week, you can get unlimited, ad-lite access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.