York Region funds ideas to prepare businesses for Canada's ban on single-use plastics

Up to $20,000 available for innovative ideas

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 8, 2022
Kim Zarzour

Do you have good ideas to help local businesses cut down waste?

The Region of York has up to $20,000 available to non-profit organizations and social enterprises who can come up with innovative ideas to help businesses reduce single-use plastics like checkout bags, cutlery, food service ware, ring carriers, stir sticks and straws.

“We’re looking for unique, community-driven approaches to inspire York Region businesses,” said Julie Hordowick, program manager for York Region’s Integrated Waste Management Strategy.

It’s part of a move toward the Federal ban on single-use plastics that takes effect Dec. 20, 2023.

As of December 20, 2022, the manufacture and import for sale in Canada of checkout bags, cutlery, food service ware, stir sticks and straws (i.e., straight straws), as defined in the Regulations, will be prohibited and as of Dec. 20, 2023, the sale of these items will be prohibited.

Single-use items are often made of hard-to-recycle plastics and made from fossil fuels that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Often used once, then thrown away, these items often end up as litter and take hundreds of years to break down into tiny pieces of plastic called micro plastics that contaminate the environment, including our water, she said.

Successful applicants will be funded up to 65% of the total cost to implement their idea to a maximum of $20,000.

Applicants do not have to be based in York Region, but the project must benefit York Region communities, Hordowick said.

Application deadline is Friday, Dec. 16 at 11:59 p.m.

For more information, including eligibility requirements, examples of related resources and projects and how to apply, visit york.ca/reducewaste