Plastic Checkout Bag Ban Came Into Effect in Regina

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The City of Regina’s Plastic Checkout Bag Ban Bylaw has come into effect from today (Feb 1, 2022). The Bylaw imposes a city-wide ban on plastic checkout bags. The implementation of the ban, approved by the Council in May 2020, was delayed due to Covid-pandemic.

The ban will be applicable to bags provided to customers at store’s checkout. At the same time, it will not be applicable to other in-store plastic bags, such as the ones used for bulk food, fruit and vegetables. It does not propose any specific alternative to plastic bags and allows businesses and customers to select bags of their choice.

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The retail stores in Regina were given several months to prepare for the bylaw. Several local stores have been urging customers to bring their own reusable bags for shopping. The past several months have seen a visible shift in shopping habits of customers.

The City administration reminded that businesses and customers found violating the ban will face fines, as prescribed by the bylaw. The individuals will face a fine of $100 for the first offence, $200 for the second and up to $500 for a third offence. For businesses, the fines will be $500, $1,000 and $10,000 for the first, second and third offence.

The bylaw aims to minimize plastic waste ending up in landfills, prevent plastic litter in community and ensure protection of the environment.