Montreal's single-use plastics bylaw coming into effect
The bylaw banning certain single-use items comes into effect on March 28 in Montreal. The city says it will support the 8,400 food stores and restaurants in this ecological transition.
As of March 28, cups, glasses, sticks, straws and plastic utensils, whether compostable or not, will be banned in food stores and restaurants.
Plastic cups, glasses, straws and sticks will also be banned for take-out and delivery. Utensils will be allowed if requested by the customer.
The ban also applies to the following polystyrene (#6) or compostable (#7) plastic products, whether for take-out or for use on the premises: plates, containers, lids, trays (except those for raw meat and fish) and utensils.
"The reduction of residual materials at source must be a priority for everyone, for the benefit of future generations," explained the person responsible for the ecological transition and the environment within the executive committee, to recall the reasons for this regulation.
Marie-Andrée Mauger invited the media to a downtown restaurant on Thursday morning.
"When the only landfill in the Montreal region reaches its full capacity in 2029, we have no choice but to accelerate the reduction of waste at the source," said Mauger, who is also a borough councillor in Verdun. "We must respect the limits of ecosystems. If everyone lived like we do in Montreal, in Quebec, it would take four planets to sustain the rate at which we consume resources."
Mauger noted that the 19 boroughs of the City of Montreal are covered by the new regulation. She also hopes that the new bylaw will help beautify the city.
"We notice that our bins, in the streets and parks, are full and littered with single-use items," she said.
UP TO $4,000 IN FINES
The Valerie Plante administration said the city's 8,400 food businesses and restaurants have been educated and informed in various ways since the bylaw was passed 18 months ago.
For example, "a call campaign," via the Affaires Montréal telephone line, has been launched and leaflets have been distributed.
City inspectors will be able to issue notices of violation on the first visit, but on the second or subsequent offence, merchants will be subject to fines ranging from $400 to $4,000.
"We don't expect that on day one, there will be no more banned items in circulation. We're going to show some tolerance, give merchants time to clear their stock, because we don't want this regulation to generate waste," said Mauger.
However, she did not specify what would be "a reasonable time to sell out."
The new regulation does not apply to non-profit food aid organizations or establishments that only offer a home delivery service such as caterers. It also does not apply to food pre-packaged outside the establishment.
The regulation also does not apply to plastic-coated cups, glasses and cardboard containers (compostable or not).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 23, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.