Toronto is one step closer to banning the worst plastics, which are wreaking havoc through the full life cycle of production, use, and disposal.

Starting March 1st, two new by-laws mean Toronto businesses and customers will be dealing with less waste. Businesses across Toronto will: ask-first before giving out accessories like utensils, condiments and napkins, and allow customers to bring their own clean cup or bag

This is urgent: Canada’s ban on single use plastic bags, utensils and food containers was slated to start December 2023. This created a big incentive for businesses, small and large, to prepare for the ban and seek out alternatives. A November 2023 federal court decision sided with the plastics industry throws the future of the federal ban into doubt.

On December 13th, TEA and the Reusable Toronto initiative hosted an online event, focused on how Toronto can ditch the disposables and make the shift towards reusables and a waste-free city!

In June 2022, the Canadian government passed a ban on some single-use plastics - including plastic bags, cutlery, foam and black plastic containers.