Effective September 1, 2024, retail businesses that provide single-use beverage cups are required to post signage that they accept reusable cups. Signs and posters are available in multiple languages.

There are practical ways to eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items in your business.

The City has developed resources to support retail businesses in complying with the new Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw, which took effect March 1, 2024, and to help businesses voluntarily eliminate the use of other unnecessary single-use and takeaway items.

On May 23, 2024, City Council adopted the Update on Stage 2 of the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy, including amendments to the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw.

Requirement to Accept Reusable Cups

The bylaw requires retail business establishment operators to accept the use of a reusable beverage cup by a customer to hold a beverage purchased or obtained at the retail business establishment. If a customer’s reusable beverage cup does not meet the requirements set out in the bylaw, a retail business establishment operator is not required to accept the reusable beverage cup.

Food Safety Guidelines for Accepting Reusable Beverage Cups from Customers

Retail business establishments as “food premises operators” must also meet the requirements for reusable items set out in the Food Premises Regulation under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, in addition to the requirements under the bylaw.

All retail business establishment operators should develop procedures for serving hot and/or cold beverages in reusable beverage cups provided by customers. The procedures must meet the requirements in the bylaw and the Food Premises Regulation. These procedures should address the following areas:

Reusable beverage cup requirements

All reusable beverage cups must be:

  • Of sound construction
  • Visually clean;
  • In good repair;
  • Capable of being washed or disinfected; and
  • Suitable for its intended purpose.

A retail business establishment operator must refuse to accept a customer’s reusable beverage cup if any of these requirements are not met.

Protecting other foods and equipment from cross contamination

  • If a beverage needs mixing or stirring, a utensil that is clean and sanitized (in accordance with the Food Premises Regulation) must be used every time.
  • A retail business establishment operator can choose to use an in-house vessel for sizing or to prepare drinks before transferring to the customer’s reusable beverage cup.
  • Dispensing containers should not come in contact with the reusable beverage cup.

Hand hygiene

  • Food handlers must wash hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food or food areas (Food Premises Regulation).
  • For reusable beverage cups provided by customers, it is strongly recommended that food handlers wash their hands or change gloves before and after handling a customer’s reusable beverage cup.

Food Safety Guidelines for Accepting Reusable Food Containers from Customers

Under the bylaw, retail business establishment operators are not required to accept reusable food containers from customers to hold food purchased or obtained at a retail business establishment. A retail business establishment can decide whether or not to accept reusable food containers from customers.

If a retail business establishment decides to accept reusable food containers from customers, as a “food premises operator,” they must meet the requirements for reusable items set out in the Food Premises Regulation under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act. They should also develop procedures for serving food in reusable food containers provided by their customers that meet the requirements under the Food Premises Regulation.

Relevant Definitions

A retail business establishment is a premise, location, or operation where goods and/or services are offered for sale, such as stores, online businesses, eating or drinking establishments, convenience stores, grocery stores, delicatessens, caterers, mobile food vendors, street vendors, vending machines, book stores, and clothing stores.

A retail business establishment operator is a person who owns, manages, supervises, runs, or controls a retail business establishment and includes a person who owns the premises where the retail business establishment is operated.

A beverage cup is a cup designed to serve hot and/or cold beverages.

A reusable beverage cup is a beverage cup designed to be used more than once, made from durable material, and capable of being washed or disinfected.

Disclaimer

This general guidance is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. The City of Toronto assumes no liability for accuracy or completeness. Retail business establishment operators are responsible for ensuring compliance with Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 702, Single-Use and Takeaway Items, and the Food Premises Regulation under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Review the Reducing Single-Use & Takeaway Items Guide to product alternatives for single-use food and beverage containers and accessory items.

 

Description Translations
Download the Reducing Single-Use & Takeaway Items Guide PDF Farsi PDF | French PDF | Korean PDF | Portuguese PDF | Russian PDF | Simplified Chinese PDF | Spanish PDF | Tagalog PDF | Tamil PDF | Traditional Chinese PDF | Urdu PDF

 

Display these small signs or posters in your business for staff and customers to see and post them to your online ordering platform and social media channels to inform your customers about the new Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw.

Resource Translations
Download the We Accept Reusable Shopping Bags sign (6″ x 4″) French Simplified Chinese Spanish Tagalog Tamil Traditional Chinese
Download the We Accept Clean Reusable Cups sign (6″ x 4″) French Simplified Chinese Spanish Tagalog Tamil Traditional Chinese
Download the We Accept Clean Reusable Cups poster (8.5″ x 11″) French Simplified Chinese Spanish Tagalog Tamil Traditional Chinese
Download the Poster for Businesses (8.5″ x 11″) French Simplified Chinese Spanish Tagalog Tamil Traditional Chinese
Download the Community Poster (8.5″ x 11″) French Simplified Chinese Spanish Tagalog Tamil Traditional Chinese

 

Here are some practical tips to eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items in your business not covered by the bylaw.

Single-use containers and eating utensils

  • Accept reusable containers provided by customers for any prepared foods, including leftovers from dine-in service. Review the the guidelines for safe handling of reusables.
  • Encourage customers to bring their own reusable items by advertising this option in-store, on your website or on your social media accounts.
  • Use washable, reusable dishes and eating utensils to serve dine-in customers.
  • Use a reusable take-out container service.
  • Implement a bag, box or container return program which customers can use if they do not bring their own reusable bags or containers.

Businesses are responsible for meeting the requirements for reusable items set out in the Food Premises Regulation under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Plastic and plastic-lined items labelled as compostable or bio-degradable

Webinar 5: Understanding the New Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw

Event date and time

February 22, 2024 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Event details

In December 2023, Toronto City Council approved a new Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw that will restrict single-use and takeaway items through measures that include requiring the acceptance of reusable bags and beverage cups and distributing items in an “ask-first/by-request” manner. The goal of this webinar is to provide businesses and the public with a better understanding of the new bylaw and its impacts.

The purpose of the webinar is to:

  • outline the bylaw requirements that businesses will need to comply with as of March 1, 2024
  • answer questions from participants about what they need to do to comply with the bylaw
  • provide details on how to access information and educational resources
  • provide information on future stages of the Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy and how businesses and residents can provide their feedback
  • share information on the City’s new grant program – the Circular Food Innovators Fund.

View the presentation

Webinar 4: Implementing a Reusable Foodservice Ware Program in Your Business

Event date and time

October 11, 2023 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Event details

City staff facilitated a panel discussion with three Reducing Single-Use program participant service providers:

  • Scott Morrison, Muuse
  • Kayli Dale, Friendlier
  • Megan Takeda-Tully, Suppli

Each of the panelists shared their expertise on topics including

  • how their business model works
  • how to retain their services and successfully implement their program
  • benefits of implementing a reusable foodservice ware program

View the presentation PDF

 

Second Presentation of Webinar 3: Guidance on Foodservice Ware and Accessory Items Product Alternatives for Businesses

Event date and time

June 7, 2023 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Event details

City staff presented an interactive webinar about how businesses can effectively reduce their use of single-use and accessory items by switching to more environmentally compatible alternatives, and how some items are problematic in the City of Toronto Blue Bin recycling and Green Bin organics processing systems. The webinar:

  • shared information to help businesses choose more environmentally compatible foodservice ware products
  • explained why black plastic and expanded polystyrene foam are difficult to capture and recycle
  • provided clarity on the organics processing issues related to products labelled as compostable/biodegradable
  • introduced the Reducing Single-Use & Takeaway Items Guide, a product alternatives guide for food service businesses in Toronto

View the presentation PDF

 

Webinar 2: What the Federal Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations Mean for Food Service Businesses

Event date and time

January 27, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Event details

Environment and Climate Change Canada (opens in new window) and City of Toronto staff presented an interactive webinar about the impact of the federal Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (opens in new window) and reducing single-use and takeaway items in your business. The webinar:

  • explained the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, including the targeted items and implementation timelines
  • outlined which businesses will be affected and how they will be impacted
  • shared information and resources to help you prepare for compliance
  • outlined the approach to federal enforcement
  • discussed reuse with a focus on the reduction of single-use and takeaway items

View the presentation PDF

 

Webinar 1: Introduction to Reducing Single-Use Program for Foodservice Businesses

Event date and time

November 23, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Event details

Are you interested in moving away from single-use and takeaway items in your business but don’t know where to start?

Are you already reducing single-use items in your business and want to know more about resources that can support your efforts?

City staff:

  • explained the benefits of participating in the Reducing Single-Use program
  • showed participants how to easily submit a program Application Form
  • helped participants access resources to support your single-use item reduction practices
  • answered questions about how to reduce your use of single-use and takeaway items and successfully prepare for any potential future City restrictions or bylaws on the reduction of single-use and takeaway items
  • shared information and resources to  help you prepare for the upcoming federal plastics bans

View the presentation PDF