BYO Vancouver

BYO Vancouver - Canada Reduces' first western group – launches in the Winter of 2021. While there are plans to spread the program throughout the city, the initial roll out targets Commercial Drive, a vibrant 20-block neighbourhood in East Vancouver that is full of cafes, delis, grocery stores and restaurants. 

 

It all started in March 2021 when two Vancouver friends decided to start their own group, inspired by the success of Canada Reduces in Ontario. Four months later, BYO Vancouver won a small “Greenest City Neighbourhood” grant, allowing the team to ramp up printing of BYO stickers, crafting of business and consumer flyers, and designing training sheets to illustrate how to safely fill personal containers for restaurants, delis and cafes. The training how-to sheets follow all provincial health regulations to the letter. 

 

In the Fall of 2021, the BC Ministry of Health handed down the official provincial health and safety protocols for the use of personal reusable containers. In order to qualify for reusable container service in BC, businesses must contact their Environmental Health Officer (EHO) at Vancouver Coastal Health (604) 675-3800.

 

This official step presents a small barrier for business owners, but we're confident that together we can have a big impact on single use plastic waste in the Commercial Drive neighbourhood!