Single-Use Item Reduction Bylaw

In December 2019, the City of Chilliwack conducted an extensive public consultation campaign, followed by consultation with businesses in January 2020. Consultation efforts focused on public and commercial use and reliance on single-use items, as well as attitudes towards reducing their prevalence in Chilliwack. Online surveys facilitated input from residents and businesses with over one thousand responses, and staff led several face-to-face open houses and a business workshop.

Consultation found that public support for single-use item reduction initiatives was high, with most residents stating that action needs to be taken, including education and bylaws regulating their use. Businesses' feedback indicated a willingness to implement measures that make it easier for customers to bring in reusable alternatives and support for regulation.

For more information on the consultation process, read the Engagement Summary Report here.

Following consultation, the City of Chilliwack developed a progressive bylaw in March, 2021, that targeted a range of single-use items. Provincial legislation at the time required that the City submit its bylaw to the Province of British Columbia for Ministerial approval. A second consultation effort was conducted following submission of the bylaw to the Province to ascertain feedback on the contents and timelines of the bylaw. Over 80% of public respondents were in favour of the bylaw and businesses were mostly in support with some expressing concerns about meeting the implementation date of January 1, 2022.

In July 2021, the Province enacted legislation that enabled municipalities in B.C. to adopt bylaws related to particular single-use items. The City updated its bylaw to reflect these new requirements, including extending the start date to April 1, 2022, and removing regulations related to paper and plastic beverage cups. Single-Use Item Reduction Bylaw 2021 No. 5062 was adopted in September, 2021, and the City sent a letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy encouraging the Province to fast track regulations that will enable local governments to enact bylaws related to single-use beverage cups.

Both the Federal and Provincial Governments have announced plans to manage plastic waste that include many plastic single-use items. In June 2020, the Federal Government publicized its intent to reduce plastic pollution in Canada, which includes banning some harmful single-use plastics as early as the end of 2021. The Province of British Columbia has supported municipal efforts to regulate single-use items by amending the Community Charter to enable local governments to adopt single-use item bylaws without Provincial approval.

Both the Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy and Single-Use Item Reduction Bylaw are aligned with the legislation and proposals made by higher levels of government. The City will amend its strategy and bylaw to comply with and build on the efforts of the Federal and Provincial governments.