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Canada |
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British Columbia |
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Vancouver |
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In 2008, the city of Vancouver has proposed a ban on plastic disposable shopping bags. Currently, the proposal is under review by the British Columbia government in the legal department. In addition, the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Grocery Distributors, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores have submitted a plan to reduce plastic bag distribution by 50% over a 5 year period. [updated 12-01-09] |
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Manitoba |
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Leaf Rapids |
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In April 2007, the municipality of Leaf Rapids in Manitoba, Canada banned plastic shopping bags. Initially, the town started with a levy on the bags and then moved to an outright ban. |
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Northwest Territories |
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On January 15, 2010, all grocery stores in the Northwest Territories, Canada began charging a mandatory $0.25 charge on all paper and plastic bags. This fee is part of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Waste Reduction and Recovery Program Expansion. The intent of the program is to reduce litter in the Northwest Territories. T his fee does not include bags used for unpackaged bulk items, prescriptions, or bags used a primary packaging for prepared food. The fees are used to help fund the Northwest Territories’ Environment Fund. [added
03-11-10]
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Nova Scotia |
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All liquor stores in Nova Scotia, Canada agreed to cease giving out plastic bags as of fall 2008.
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Ontario |
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Toronto |
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The Toronto City Council approved a 5 cent charge on plastic shopping bags that took effect on June 1, 2009.
Also, retailers may only provide bags that are accepted by the Toronto recycling program meaning that biodegradable
bags are banned because they are not accepted. In June 2012, members of the Toronto City Council voted to not only
remove the fee but also to prohibit retails from providing or selling plastic shopping bags. The fee will no longer
be effective in July 2012 and the ban will take effect on January 1, 2013.
[updated 09-03-10 and 07-24-12]
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Quebec |
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All liquor stores in Quebec, Canada have agreed to ban plastic bags by 2009.
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Amqui |
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In 2008, the town of Amqui, in Quebec, Canada has a voluntary plastic bag use reduction pact with merchants and will institute a small tax on the bags. [updated 12-01-09] |
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Huntingdon |
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In January 2008, the small town of Huntingdon, Quebec passed a bylaw that bans plastic bags. |
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Montreal |
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Montreal, Canada has plans to ban plastic shopping bags some time in 2009. Additionally, a popular liquor store, SAQ, has instituted a surcharge policy on plastic and paper bags as of September 2008. This surcharge is expected to reduce the use of such bags by 4%. The policy goes on to ban plastic and paper bags from stores by January 2009. |
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Haiti |
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In August 2012, the office of the Prime Minister of Haiti announced a ban on the import,
manufacture and marketing of black plastic bags and polystyrene foam boxes used for to-go food. The ban was effective
October 1, 2012 and was enacted in order to reduce litter in the streets and canals of the nation. Bags used for drinking
water are exempted from the ban. [added 10-09-12]
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Mexico |
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Mexico City |
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On 8/19/09 a new ordinance was enacted that prohibit businesses from giving out thin plastic bags
that are not biodegradable. The law affects all stores, production facilities and service providers within the city limits. In
October 2010, the ordinance was reformed. The changes removed penalties for traders giving away plastic bags to consumers but
fines for stores not providing biodegradable bags still exist. The update also requires the Ministry of Environment to create
standards for sustainable production and consumption of plastic products. In July 2011, the standards were published and changed
the ordinance further. Beginning in July 2012, biodegradable bag manufacturers must now use Mexican laboratories to prove that
the additives in their products will degrade. Furthermore, all plastic bags distributed to consumers must have at least 10 percent
recycled content. The original prohibition on thin plastic bags no longer exists.
[updated 12-17-10 and 03-07-12]
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Information about retail bag regulation activities is changing constantly. We welcome your input. If you have additional sources, or updates to
current information on this website, please email
Johanna.Poston@dep.state.fl.us. |
Highlights
