Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy

Fees and Requirements 

• Required minimum fee of $0.25 per cup, charged separately from the product (e.g. $2.00 for coffee, additional $0.25 for a single use cup). 

• No self-serve cups or lids. Customers should always be asked if they want to purchase a single use cup and lid. 

• Clearly communicate fee to customers via signage and staff training. 

• Businesses will be required to accept clean, reusable customer drink cups. 

Acceptable Items

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Recyclable plastic lid (#1, #2, and #5)	Paper cup with plastic lining	Plain wood sticks

• Select white or natural paper cups with minimal dyes and inks to maximize recyclability. 

• At UBC, cups and drink containers go in the Recyclable Containers bins for recycling. Typical coffee cups are made of paper with a plastic lining. Any compostable cups placed in those bins will contaminate the recycling and not be composted.  

• For lids, preferred plastic type for recyclability is #1 (PET or PETE), followed by #5 (PP) and #2 (HDPE). Types #3 (PVC), #6 (PS) and #7 (OTHER) should be avoided.¹ 

• Plastic stir sticks are not accepted.² Compostable wood or plant fibre-based stir-sticks are in wide use and accepted.

• Avoid synthetic, non-compostable tea bags, and tea bags wrapped in plastic.*  

Not Accepted

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Foam cups	Plastic stir sticks

Exemptions 

• Single use items including cups provided at private or ticketed events (i.e. sports events and concerts), or that are provided with free drinks or meals, are exempt from the requirement to charge fees. 

Recommended actions to reduce single use items 

• Increase fee beyond minimum, and/or combine the fee with a reusable cup discount (e.g., $0.25 fee plus additional discount for bring your own mug). 
• Encourage more in-house consumption using reusable (e.g., ceramic) cups. 
• Offer reusable cups for sale. 
• Participate in a cup sharing program or implement an in-house cup return program
• Offer express line, priority or loyalty cards for customers with reusable mugs. 

¹PVC, PS, as well as biodegradable and compostable plastic lids are banned under provincial regulations effective December 20, 2023. 
²Single-Use stir sticks made of any plastic are banned under the Federal Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, effective December 20, 2023

Fees and Requirements

• Required minimum fee of $0.25 per cup for both hot and cold drinks.  

• Fee must be charged separately from the product. For example, $2.00 for the drink, additional $0.25 for a single use cup. 

• No self-serve cups or lids. Customers should always be asked if they want to purchase a single use cup and lid. 

• Clearly communicate fee to customers via signage and staff training. 

• Businesses will be required to accept clean, reusable customer drink cups.  

Acceptable Items

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Recyclable plastic cup (#1, #2 and #5)	Recyclable plastic lid (#1, #2 and #5)

• Preferred plastic type for recyclability is #1 (PET or PETE), followed by #5 (PP) and #2 (HDPE). Types #3 (PVC), #6 (PS) and #7 (OTHER) should be avoided.¹
• At UBC, cups and drink containers go in the Recyclable Containers bins, so compostable cups will be sent to the recycling facility and cause contamination, rather than composted. 

Not Accepted

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Foam cups (#6)	Non-recycleable plastic cups (#7)

Exemptions 

• Single use items including cups provided at private or ticketed events (i.e. sports events and concerts), or that are provided with free drinks or meals, are exempt from the requirement to charge fees. 

Recommended actions to reduce single use items 

• Increase fee beyond minimum, and/or combine the fee with a reusable cup discount (e.g., $0.25 fee plus additional discount for bring your own cup). 
• Encourage more in-house consumption using reusable cups. 
• Offer reusable cups for sale. 
• Participate in a cup sharing program or implement an in-house cup return program
• Offer express line, priority or loyalty cards for customers with reusable cups. 

¹PVC, PS, as well as biodegradable and compostable plastic cups and lids are banned under provincial regulations effective July 14, 2025. 

Fees and Requirements

• No fees required.

• Straws given out by request only. 

• No plastic straws, except bendable straws for accessibility purposes.

Acceptable Items	Not Accepted
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Paper or cardboard straws	Plastic straws

• Plastic straws are not readily recyclable, can contaminate food scraps composting, and escape into the environment causing ocean pollution, and therefore should be avoided.¹
• Proven alternatives are available and have been in use on UBC campus since summer 2018. 
• Use paper or cardboard straws that are PFAS-free wherever possible.²

Exemptions 

• Bendable straws (plastic if necessary) to be provided to customers who need them as an adaptive aid for accessibility. 

Recommended actions to reduce single use items 

• Do not offer straws of any kind unless for accessibility reasons. 
• Reusable options such as silicone, glass, or metal may also be sold. 

₁Single-use plastic straws are banned under federal regulations, effective December 20, 2023. Bendable plastic straws can be provided to customers in accessibility circumstances. 
²Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances are a group of persistent chemicals with potential adverse health effects. 

Fees and Requirements

• No fees required.

• Provided by-request only, no self-serve.

• Fibre compostable only, no plastic.

Acceptable Items	Not Accepted
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Compostable wood or plant fibre-based	Plastic (including recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, and PLA)

• Plastic cutlery is one of the most common contaminants in food scraps composting, causing food scraps to be sent to the landfill and creating plastic contamination in compost that is used for landscaping and gardening, and therefore should be avoided.¹ 
• Avoid plastic wrapped cutlery and chopsticks. 
• Individual cutlery (e.g. a fork or spoon) must be provided based on customer request, not bundled with other cutlery or eating utensils.² 
• Compostable wood and bamboo cutlery have been in wide use at UBC since summer 2018. 
• Compostable and biodegradable plastic cutlery are not able to be composted by UBC and many regional facilities, and are not recyclable.¹

Exemptions

• None at this time.

Recommended actions to reduce single use items 

• Offer reusable cutlery for in-house use where possible.
• Offer reusable cutlery for sale.

¹Single-use plastic cutlery (including biodegradable or compostable alternatives) is banned under federal regulations effective December 20, 2023. 
²Cutlery must be distributed individually, based on the request, not bundled or packaged with other food-service accessories under provincial regulations effective December 20, 2023. 

Fees and Requirements

• Required minimum fee of $0.50 for single use food containers such as clamshells and bowls.  

• Fee must be charged separately from the product. For example, $6.00 for the food, additional $0.50 for a single use container. 

• Clearly communicate fee to customers via signage and staff training.  

• Compostable fibre only, unless there are no alternatives   

• Businesses are be required to provide at least one of the following reusable alternatives:  

  • accept clean customer reusable food containers  

  • offer in-house reusable food ware (e.g. ceramic plates, bowls etc.)  

  • offer reusable food container share programs, either in-house or through an external service provider.  

Acceptable Items

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Plain paper/fibre		Certified compostable paper/fibre with coating

Not Accepted

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Foam	Plastic-coated containers (unless certified compostable)	Plastic containers	Containers with plastic windows

• Compostable containers, plates and bowls made of plant fibre (e.g., paper and cardboard), uncoated or with compostable plastic coatings for water and grease resistance, are acceptable and readily available. If coated, they must be certified compostable.²
• Choose natural or white, avoid coloured paper and fibre due to the dyes and ink. 
• For pre-packaged food items or bowl lids made of plastic: 
  • Preferred plastic type for recyclability is #1 (PET or PETE), followed by #5 (PP) and #2 (HDPE). Avoid types #3 (PVC), #6 (PS) and #7 (OTHER).¹
  • Preferred plastic types for recyclability are #1, #5 and #2; types #6, #7 and black plastic should be avoided. 
  • Do not use compostable or biodegradable solid plastic.²
• For pizza boxes, avoid any plastic inserts and ensure liners are certified compostable. 
• UBC food vendors are to follow applicable health and safety guidelines in accepting reusable cups and containers. Find more information on BC policies  here. 

Exemptions

• Food container fees are applicable to single use food containers for main entrees or meals such as clamshells and bowls, not including small containers for condiments etc., and not including pizza boxes. 
• Prepackaged food items are exempt from the container fee. 
• Single use items including food containers provided at private or ticketed events (i.e. sports events and concerts), or that are provided with free drinks or meals, are exempt from the fees. 

Recommended Actions to Reduce Single Use Items

• Early adoption of reusable food ware alternatives such as refilling customer containers, in-house reusable food ware and reusable food container share programs. 
• Reusable trays/plates, or paper plates for serving pizza instead of boxes.

¹Food service ware (bowls, plates, hinged containers, trays, etc.) with PS, PVC, carbon-black or oxo-degradable plastics are banned under federal regulations effective December 20, 2023. 
²Rigid compostable or biodegradable plastic food ware are banned under provincial regulations effective July 15, 2024. However, containers coated with compostable plastic lining (i.e. PLA) are allowed.  

Fees and Requirements

There are currently no fees and changes for 2025 at this time. 

Item Guidelines

Acceptable Items	Not Accepted
Image	Image Image
Plain, uncoated paper or certified compostable paper.	Paper with plastic coating, plastic wrappers and foil.

• If paper is coated for grease or liquid resistance, it must be certified compostable. 
• Natural colour is preferred, so that it looks different than most conventional plastic coated paper. 
• Use plain paper sleeves or small paper bags instead of plastic wrap if feasible. 
• Avoid products containing PFAS (more information here). Note that certified compostable products are generally PFAS-free. 

Exemptions

• Plastic or foil may be used in cases where there is no compostable alternative that is available.

Recommended actions to reduce single use items 

• Serve food on a reusable plate rather than wrapping, if possible. 

Fees and Requirements

• Required minimum fee of $0.25 per single-use carry bag.

• By request only: customers should always be asked if they want to purchase a single use carry bag.  

• Clearly communicate fee to customers via signage and staff training. 

• No plastic bags.

• Required minimum fee of $2.00 for reusable carry bags.² 

• Paper bags must be comprised of at least 40% recycled content.²

Item Guidelines

Acceptable Items	Not Accepted
Image	Image   Image
Paper bags	Plastic bags (including compostable or biodegradable) and paper bags with plastic windows.

• Plastic bags escape into the environment easily, are a major source of ocean pollution, and are a major contaminant in food scraps composting, and therefore are not accepted on campus.¹

Exemptions 

• Small bags for individual items such as pastries or cookies do not require a fee. 

Recommended actions to reduce single use items 

• Offer branded, reusable bags for sale. 
• Offer a reusable bag exchange program. 

¹Plastic checkout bags are banned under federal regulations effective December 20, 2023.
²Bags must be either recycled paper bags (with minimum 40% recycled content), or reusable bags. Reusable bags must have a minimum fee of at least $2, according to provincial regulations effective July 15 2024.

As of January 2023, these single use items are to be offered by request only, and not provided automatically or via self-serve stations:

• Cups, sleeves, lids and trays 
• Stir sticks 
• Cutlery
• Garniches (e.g. plastic sushi grass)  
• Condiment packets
  • Consider pump dispensers as an alternative

Additionally, these items must be distributed individually, by request-only, not bundled or packaged with other food service-accessories. (i.e. automatically providing a fork and knife together, ketchup and mustard, etc.).

As of January 2023, vendors will be required to accept clean, reusable customer drink cups. Offering additional reusable options, such as in-house reusables and cup share programs, is strongly encouraged.

For takeout food containers, vendors will be required to provide at least one of the following reusable alternatives:

• accept clean customer reusable food containers,
• offer in-house reusable food ware (e.g. china plates, bowls etc.),
• offer reusable food container share programs, either in-house or through an external service provider.

UBC food vendors are to follow applicable health and safety guidelines in accepting reusable cups and containers. Find more information on BC policies here.

Additional resources to support Canadian businesses and individuals in transitioning towards reusables can also be found here.

In addition to the Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy, there are a number of recycling requirements in place that businesses on campus must adhere to. These guidelines are applicable to all businesses with waste collection by UBC Waste Management (Point Grey campus), though they may be used as a guideline for other areas.

Food and beverage vendors on campus create waste materials that enter UBC’s waste management system. With the right recycling bins, signage and training, nearly all of these materials can be recycled and diverted from the landfill, helping UBC achieve its climate action goal of 50% waste reduction by 2030. 

Recycling Bin Set-Up

Recycling bins are applicable if customer purchases are generating waste at your location and a UBC recycling station is not provided. Standard bins are Food Scraps, Recyclable Containers, Paper, Garbage. Set up bins as appropriate for your sales; for example, a food outlet with seating would include Food Scraps, Recyclable Containers, and Garbage at minimum.

For any non-public facing areas that produce only very small amounts of food scraps, another option is a small compost pail such as the Busch KC2000, which may be used with paper bin liners such as Bag to Earth small food waste bin liners, or Bin Fresh kitchen bin liners.

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Waste Watcher Bins 30" 23 Gal	Busch KC2000 Kitchen Composter

Recycling Signage

It is essential to have correct signage attached to the bins to support accurate waste sorting. In addition to signs on the bins, Sorting Guides and “No Plastics in Food Scraps” signs near bins can support proper waste sorting. 

Official UBC Sort-it-Out signage and posters can be found here. 

Bags for Recycling Bins

Based on experience, using corresponding transparent/coloured bags for recycling bins facilitates easier sorting. Refer to the table below for recommended bag types.

*Black bags are not to be used for collection of recycling (clear are acceptable).

**Plastic bags of any kind including compostable plastic bags are not allowed in the food scraps (green) carts; bags must be emptied into green carts. Paper-based bin liners are acceptable if available for your bin type.

Staff Procedures and Training

For staff whose responsibilities include waste:

1. Review the following resources to familiarize yourself with proper waste sorting knowledge:
   • Sort-it-Out guides
   • Sorting Game
2. Food scraps are to be emptied into green carts, without a plastic bag. If used, plastic bags must be disposed in garbage, as plastics of any kind are not permitted in green carts.
3. For all four streams, the materials from each bin must be kept separate and emptied into the appropriate container in the building recycling area.
   • E.g. green, grey or blue carts, blue dumpsters (garbage) or green dumpsters (cardboard)
4. Consult the Recyclepedia if you are unsure of how to sort an item.

For front line staff:

• Front line staff must communicate any fees for single use items to each customer before providing the single use item - for example, asking if the customer would like to buy a single use cup, prior to providing one.

Specialty Recycling

If your business produces waste materials that do not fall within the four main streams plus cardboard, consult the Sort-it-Out web page here for more information on recycling options.

What is the Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy?

It is a set of guidelines that aim to reduce single-use food ware waste on campus by promoting reusable alternatives and charging fees for single-use cups, containers and bags. It also requires businesses to provide compostable and recyclable food ware.

Where does the Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy apply?

It applies to all food and beverage businesses operating on the UBC Vancouver Academic Campus. This means that businesses in the University Neighbourhoods Association (including Wesbrook Village) and University Endowment Lands are exempt. UBC continues to enforce fees for single-use containers because the campus is outside the City of Vancouver’s jurisdiction and therefore does not share the same governing by-laws.

Does UBC collect the single use item fees? 

UBC does not collect any of the single use item fees from non-UBC businesses. We encourage businesses to use revenue from single use item fees to offset any potentially increased costs associated with meeting other requirements in the Strategy, such as changing from plastic to compostable wood cutlery or implementing more reusable options for customers.

Is the single-use item fee included in the price of the product?

No, fees should be applied as a separate item from the product (e.g. the coffee and the cup).

How do I avoid the single-use item fees?

To avoid paying the fee, customers can use a reusable alternative. Businesses are required to offer customers a reusable alternative:

• For drinks, they can accept clean customer reusable cups
• For food, they can offer at least one of the following:
  • Accept customer reusables
  • Provide in-house reusable foodware (i.e. china plates, bowls, etc.)
  • Container share programs

How does UBC's strategy relate to the City of Vancouver's policies?

UBC's Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy applies to all food and beverage businesses and outlets on the UBC Vancouver academic campus, including catering businesses. It is important to note that UBC’s Vancouver campus is outside the City of Vancouver’s jurisdiction and therefore does not share the same governing by-laws. Although the City voted to repeal their 25 cent cup fee as of May 1 2023, UBC continues to follow its own policies outlined in the Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy.

What about off-campus catering – does the strategy apply?

The strategy and standards apply to catering operations on the academic campus. Event organizers are encouraged to use on-campus catering, and if not, to request or encourage off-campus caterers to conform to the procurement guidelines. 

What is considered a compostable item?

Compostable means something that can be fully composted in UBC systems or regional composting facilities. Items that are accepted for composting at UBC: 

• Plain, uncoated paper products such as paper bags, paper towels, napkins and paper plates. 
• Plain wood or bamboo chopsticks and cutlery. 
• Plant fibre-based (e.g., paper, wood or bamboo) products that have a coating for moisture and grease resistance, and are certified compostable. 

Certified compostable means certified to BPI or CCME/BNQ (see logos below) or other recognized compostable standards including ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868. Some products use the term “biodegradable”. This does not necessarily mean compostable – check to see that a product is certified under a recognized standard as shown below. 

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At UBC, fibre-based items such as paper food bowls that have a moisture protective layer and are certified compostable are accepted. Look for the compostability certifications above. If you see a recycling logo instead, the product is probably not compostable.

Why are some plastics items are labeled as biodegradable and compostable?

Despite many manufacturers' marketing, solid plastic items such as cups, cutlery and containers made of plastic that is certified compostable (such as PLA), or labelled as “biodegradable” or “plant based”, do not fully compost in most regional composting systems. Also, these items are not easily distinguishable from regular recyclable plastic by either consumers and compost facility operators, and are considered contaminants. In most BC jurisdictions including Vancouver and UBC, these plastics are not considered acceptable in food scraps/composting green bins. 

 Please see below for a video overview on which types of single use items and materials should be used at UBC.  

As a food and beverage business owner, manager or buyer, where do I start?

Review the single-use item guidelines and video listed above, and determine what changes need to be made in your business. Contact us (see information at bottom of page) if you would like help with this step.

As a business, how can I afford to pay for more expensive single use items?

If there are higher costs for specific items, these can potentially be covered by the single use item fees. In some cases businesses are already spending more for products that don’t align with UBC or regional systems, and switching can sometimes reduce the cost. For example, switching from compostable plastic drinking cups to recyclable drinking cups would typically reduce costs. 

How do the single-use item fees relate to overall pricing for the customer?

The requirement in the Strategy is for the food and beverage businesses to price certain single use items (including cups and food containers) separately from the product (e.g., the coffee and food). The business can decide if and how to adjust overall pricing, they are not obligated by the Strategy to add the fee on top of existing prices. For example, if they currently charge $3.00 for a coffee in a single use cup, they could choose to now charge $2.75 for the coffee and $0.25 for the cup, for a total of $3.00.

UBC encourages all outlets to develop or participate in cup and container share programs and/or in-house/for-here service to provide reusable alternatives to single use items. 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

To access these resources, please reach out to zerowaste.coordinator@ubc.ca. 

For any fee charged for single use items as per this guideline, the business must clearly communicate these fees to the customer. 

• Front line staff asking customers if they would like to purchase the single use item, such as a coffee cup, rather than providing it automatically. 
• Post the fees clearly at point of sale and on menus. 
• Show fees on receipts. 

Communication of fees to customers is essential as part of shifting consumer behaviour toward reusables. UBC provides free electronic and printed collateral to businesses to support this. Please contact zerowaste.coordinator@ubc.ca to arrange for these materials. 

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.

Under current BC Centre for Disease Control and Vancouver Coastal Health guidelines, it is safe for food and beverage vendors to accept customers' personal reusable cups. However, vendors may opt to implement the following contactless cup methods in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Contactless Cup Method 1

• Step 1: Customer takes off the lid and places their clean reusable cup on a designated tray or in another container provided by staff.
• Step 2: Staff moves the tray or container to where the drink will be prepared without making contact with the customer’s cup.
• Step 3: Without touching the customer’s cup, staff pours the prepared drink into the customer’s reusable cup.
• Step 4: Staff brings the tray (or container) with the customer’s cup to a countertop where the customer can then take it away.
• Step 5: Staff wash and sanitize trays and containers frequently and/or at any time when contamination of equipment may have occurred. Follow procedures outlined in your food safety and sanitation plan.

Contactless Cup Method 2

• Step 1: Staff prepare the drink in a small jug or reusable cup used for pouring.
• Step 2: Without touching the customer’s cup, staff pours the prepared drink into the customer’s reusable cup.
• Step 3: Staff wash and sanitize the jug or cup used for pouring frequently and/or at any time when contamination of equipment may have occurred. 

Food and beverage vendors should continue to follow health and safety guidelines as outlined by Vancouver Coastal Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control. 

• UBC 2022 Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy
• Recycling Guidelines for UBC Businesses (addresses requirements for recycling bins, signage and staff training)
• Zero Waste Action Plan
• City of Vancouver Single Use Item Strategy (note - this is not applicable on UBC campus)

Click here to view a UBC student petition to ban single use items on campus.

Emerging Government Policies on Single Use Items

Multiple levels of government are advancing new policies for single use items and plastics. For more information, see the links below. The requirements in these emerging policies are also reflected in UBC’s planned policy updates.

• Government of Canada Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations 
• Province of BC Intentions Paper

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. The Strategy took effect in January 2020, but implementation was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As operations return to pre-pandemic practices, UBC has resumed engagement with businesses to continue implementation of the strategy, and will launch an update to be effective January 2023. In September 2022, a survey was launched to collect input on the planned changes.