Single Use Items: Progress Being Made. Cups Still a Challenge.

There is an effort to reduce the number of single-use items we use throughout Canada. Some of these reduction are a result of government regulations and some consumer action. People in Metro Vancouver have shown leadership in reducing the amount of single-use items. So, how have we been doing?

The Metro Vancouver Regional District tracks the amount of single-use items that make it into the waste stream. The following table shows the latest data.

Single-Use Items in Metro Vancouver's Waste Stream from 2018 to 2023. Source: Metro Vancouver

What stands out is a reduction in absolute terms in using single-use shopping bags, straws, and utensils. The per capita use of single-use containers is steady, but due to population growth, absolute numbers are growing. Unfortunately, the use of single-use cups is skyrocketing.

One of the easier ways to reduce single-use cups is by having "for here" cups by default at restaurants and cafes instead of the default being "to go." For example, two international coffee chains have "for here" cups, but you must ask for them in person; otherwise, you get a "to go" cup by default.

We've made much progress in reducing single-use items, which is good, as many make their way into our natural areas. We still have work to do.