Checkout Bag Regulation Bylaw No. 1087, 2022

This bylaw, enacted by the Town of View Royal, aims to reduce single-use plastic bags. It affects all businesses operating within the town that are regulated under the Town's Business License and Regulation Bylaw. The bylaw prohibits businesses from providing plastic checkout bags to customers. Businesses can only offer paper bags (containing at least 40% recycled content and labeled accordingly) or reusable bags, and they must charge a minimum fee: 25 cents for paper bags and $2 for reusable bags. Businesses must ask customers if they need a bag. The bylaw includes exemptions for small paper bags and bags used for specific items like produce, hardware, frozen goods, flowers, prescriptions, and other similar items. Customers are allowed to use their own reusable bags without discouragement. The bylaw came into effect on April 22, 2022.