The
Update on Stage 2 of the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy, including amendments to the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw, was approved by Toronto City Council on May 23, 2024.
The City is taking further steps to reduce waste from single-use and takeaway items. On May 23, 2024, City Council adopted the Updated on Stage 2 of the Single-use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy, including amendments to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 702, Single-Use and Takeaway Items (the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw) which took effect March 1, 2024.
Under the bylaw a retail business establishment is required to:
- Ask-First/By-Request
- Prior to distributing a single-use accessory food item, either (i) ask a customer if they need the item, (ii) have a customer request the item, or (iii) make the item available to customers in a self-serve station.
- Prior to distributing a single-use paper shopping bag, either (i) ask a customer if they need the bag or (ii) have a customer request the bag.
- Accepting the use of Reusable Items
- Accept the use of reusable shopping bags and beverage cups by customers.
- Compatibility
- Only distribute single-use paper shopping bags to their customers that are compatible with the City’s waste diversion programs.
On May 23, 2024, City Council updated the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw as follows:
Effective May 25, 2024
- Delivery Exemption for Single-Use Paper Shopping Bag Ask-First/By-Request
- Retail business establishments are not required to Ask-First/By-Request their customers if they want a single-use paper shopping bag if their purchase is being delivered by the business or a third-party delivery service.
- Beverage Cup Definition Clarification
- Definition of “beverage cup” was amended to clarify that a cup may also include a lid.
Effective September 1, 2024
- Post Acceptance of Reusable Beverage Cup Notice
- Retail business establishments that sell or provide beverages in single-use beverage cups are required to post signage that they accept reusable beverage cups.
Effective January 1, 2025
- Restricted Events Required to Ask-First/By-Request
- Retail business establishments located at restricted events will be required to either (i) ask a customer if they need the item, (ii) have a customer request the item, or (iii) make the item available to customers in a self-serve station before providing single-use accessory food items and single-use paper shopping bags.
The City is committed to helping retail business establishments comply with the bylaw through targeted education and outreach activities.