High Speed Fallout from COVID-19

Information for Residents

On January 1, 2021, you should no longer receive checkout bags from stores in Mono. You may only receive a bag if:

• You are first asked whether you need a bag and you respond that you require one
• The bag you receive is a paper bag
• You must pay for the bag

Businesses must allow you to use any reusable bag that you may already have, including bags from competitors.

Are There Any Exceptions? 

You may still receive bags in situations when the bag is being used to do any of the following:

• Package loose bulk items, such as fruit / vegetables, nuts, grains, or candy;
• Package loose small hardware items such as nails and bolts;
• Contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, poultry or fish;
• Wrap flowers or potted plants;
• Protect prepared foods or bakery goods that are not already packaged;
• Contain prescription drugs received from a pharmacy;
• Transport live fish;
• Protect linens, bedding, or other similar large items that cannot easily fit in a reusable bag;
• Protect newspapers or other printed material that may be left outside;
• Protect clothes after laundering or dry cleaning;
• Protect tires that cannot easily fit in a reusable bag;
• Collect and dispose of animal waste

You may also receive small paper bags at no charge for smaller purchases.

For more information, view the Plastic Bag Bylaw.

Information for Businesses

On January 1, 2021, you should no longer provide checkout bags to customers. You may only supply a bag if:

• You first ask customers whether they need a bag and they respond that they require one
• The bag you provide to customers is a paper bag
• Customers must pay for the bag. Businesses can set whatever price they feel is appropriate for these bags.

Customers should be allowed to use any reusable bag that they may already have, including bags from competitors.

Are There Any Exceptions? 

You may still provide bags in the following situations if the bags do any of the following:

• Package loose bulk items, such as fruit / vegetables, nuts, grains, or candy;
• Package loose small hardware items such as nails and bolts;
• Contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, poultry or fish;
• Wrap flowers or potted plants;
• Protect prepared foods or bakery goods that are not already packaged;
• Contain prescription drugs received from a pharmacy;
• Transport live fish;
• Protect linens, bedding, or other similar large items that cannot easily fit in a reusable bag;
• Protect newspapers or other printed material that may be left outside;
• Protect clothes after laundering or dry cleaning;
• Protect tires that cannot easily fit in a reusable bag;
• Collect and dispose of animal waste

You may also provide a small paper bag at no charge for small purchases.

Penalties

Contravening the new Plastic Bag Bylaw will result in a fine of $150. Any person who is charged with multiple or repeat offences under this Bylaw is liable to the following fines if found guilty under Part 3 of the Provincial Offences Act:

• $500 for each day or part day that the offence continues, limited to $10,000
• $500 for each offence in a case of multiple offences and the total of all fines for each included offence is limited to $10,000

For more information, view the Plastic Bag Bylaw.