Victoria moving ahead with new single-use container bylaw
The City of Victoria is looking to introduce a new bylaw intended to curb the amount of single-use items used by businesses in the municipality.
City council has unanimously decided to direct city staff to prepare the bylaw, which requires businesses to only serve customers with reusable dishware when they are dining in.
Additionally, businesses can only give out single-use food ware accessories, like utensils, straws and stir sticks, if customers request one.
The city says approximately 220,000 single-use items, such as cups and cutlery, are thrown away each day in Victoria, according to data from the Capital Regional District.
"The city’s garbage bins tell a story of needless waste," said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto in a release Thursday.
"Reusable alternatives to disposable single-use items have a clear benefit to the cleanliness of Victoria streets and parks, and to our environment," she said.
Shane Devereux, owner of businesses Habit Coffee and Sherwood in Victoria, says the move has both environmental and economic benefits.
"Disposable items add up quick, both in the landfill and as a cost; just one disposable coffee cup costs me 20 cents," he said.
"I’m optimistic that these new policies will nudge consumers to think more about their use of convenience items."
The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association also says it's grateful the city consulted with the industry and came up with a "fair" approach to designing the new bylaw.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.