January 2022 Update
The Zero Waste Foodware Strategy became effective end of January 2020. With the onset of the pandemic, normal operations of food and beverage outlets were disrupted, so further UBC activity on this initiative was paused.
With many elements of operations now returning to pre-pandemic practices, e.g. the use of reusable mugs, UBC is resuming engagement with businesses with the goal of all food and beverage businesses aligning with the Strategy requirements, supporting UBC and regional sustainability goals. As of January 2022, the implementation schedule is being reset, making 2022 effectively year one of the Strategy implementation.
As of January 1, 2022, the City of Vancouver’s Single Use Item Strategy and associated by-laws require cup fees, bag fees and some materials bans. While these City of Vancouver policies align closely with UBC’s policies, UBC’s Point Grey campus is outside the jurisdiction of these City of Vancouver policies, and UBC’s Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy is applicable on the campus.
Overview
The campus has demanded change regarding single-use foodware items. With sustainability an important part of our culture, UBC is leading the region in reducing single use plastics through its unique Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy, with three priority areas:
- Fees for select single use items to encourage the transition to reusable food ware for enjoying food and drink,
- Smarter, more sustainable materials for single use items, and
- Improved in-store recycling bins and signage for customers and staff.
Download the UBC Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy
What Businesses Need to Know
As of January, 2022, the following requirements apply to food and beverage outlets at the Point Grey campus:
- Charge a $0.25 fee for single use cups, and $0.15 for single use (paper) carry bags
- Fees must be actively communicated to customers
- No plastic carry bags, no plastic straws (with exceptions for accessibility)
- No fees are currently required for single use food containers or cutlery
- Additional requirements for specific single use item materials as per UBC’s guideline.
The following video provides a short overview on which types of single use items and materials should be used at UBC.
- The Food Service Ware Procurement Guideline provides the specific requirements for fees and single use items,
- The Recycling Guidelines for UBC Businesses addresses requirements for recycling bins, signage and staff training.
Support Options for Businesses
As part of strategy implementation, UBC staff are available to help support businesses. This support includes:
- Being available to meet with food business representatives
- Answering questions on the strategy and guidelines, including on specific products
- Offering a “zero waste assessment” to review current food ware products and recycling setups, and make recommendations
- Provide UBC artwork such as signage and posters
If you would like Choose to Reuse materials (posters, tent cards, signage) for your establishment, please send an email to info.planning@ubc.ca.
What Customers Need to Know
As a customer, you will see changes in how food and beverage is packaged and sold. Bring your own cup to save money on coffee and hot beverages, or take advantage of cup-sharing programs where available.
Accessibility
UBC recognizes that some community members need specific items such as plastic straws for accessibility purposes when enjoying food and beverages. As we transition to more sustainable materials and reduce single use items over time, we will incorporate our commitment to accessibility through identifying and addressing accessibility issues and concerns.
The Sustainability and Engineering unit in Campus and Community Planning, who is leading the Food Ware Strategy, is working with the UBC Centre for Accessibility to incorporate accessibility considerations into the Strategy implementation.
Strategy Development and Approval
In 2018 we began collaborating with Metro Vancouver and the City of Vancouver, and consulted with food business stakeholders on campus, on the development of our Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy to reduce and recycle single use food service ware and packaging, such as coffee cups and take-out food containers.
Following consultations in June 2018, a follow-up survey was also distributed. Through this process we captured lots of input and ideas which helped us craft the strategy. We also distributed the draft strategy to campus food business stakeholders for comment.
Download the 2018 Single-Use Items Consultation Report
In June 2019, the UBC Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy was approved as an addendum to the Zero Waste Action Plan, which is a Board Approved Plan under UBC’s Policy 92, Land Use, Permitting and Sustainability.
Contacts
Strategy development and policy:
Bud Fraser, Senior Planning and Sustainability Engineer
Tel: (604) 822-1501
Email: bud.fraser@ubc.ca
Support for businesses regarding single use items and recycling:
Zero Waste Coordinator
Email: zerowaste.coordinator@ubc.ca