2026 Updated Canadian Single-Use Plastics Regulations: What Foodservice Businesses Need to Know

Cutlery — includes knives, forks, spoons, sporks, and chopsticks. 

Foodservice Ware — clamshell containers, lidded containers, boxes, cups, plates, and bowls made from expanded or extruded polystyrene foam, polyvinyl chloride, carbon black, or an oxo-degradable plastic. Note that this prohibition applies to specific materials — not all foodservice containers are banned, only those made from or containing these problematic plastics.

Stir Sticks — designed to stir or mix beverages, or to prevent a beverage from spilling from the lid of its container.

Straws — prohibited with an important exception: single-use plastic flexible straws remain available in stores and health care facilities, under certain conditions, for people who need them.

Ring Carriers — less directly relevant for most foodservice operators but prohibited for beverage packaging applications. 

One important clarification for operators: the federal ban targets specific materials — expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam), PVC, carbon black, and oxo-degradable plastics — not all plastic packaging. A plastic container made from PET or PP is not prohibited under federal regulations. Understanding exactly what material your packaging is made from matters.

Federal Ban Timeline

What this means for your operation today: all deadlines have passed. If you are still using any of the prohibited items listed above, you are not in compliance with federal regulations regardless of your province or city.

Provincial and Municipal Regulations — Why Location Matters

In addition to federal regulations, provincial and municipal bylaws may differ significantly. For example, Toronto has implemented an ask-first requirement where restaurants and cafés are prohibited from handing out single-use accessory items by default — staff must ask if customers want them, or customers can request them. Montreal fully prohibits distributing banned single-use plastic items and even some compostable and biodegradable plastics. Vancouver relies on BC's provincial framework following its municipal bylaw repeal, while Calgary relies solely on federal regulations after repealing its own bylaw in 2024. For the most up to date information, consult the complete provincial and city reference table below — updated annually.