If your restaurant, café or catering business still has foam clamshells or black plastic takeout containers in the back room, it is worth knowing where the rules stand. Canada's federal Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations restrict several categories of plastic items, including certain foodservice ware.
What the federal rules cover
According to the Government of Canada fact sheet, the regulations cover six categories: checkout bags, cutlery, ring carriers, stir sticks, straws and foodservice ware.
Foodservice ware is covered when it is designed for serving or transporting ready-to-eat food or drinks (clamshells, lidded containers, boxes, cups, plates and bowls) and contains expanded or extruded polystyrene foam, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), carbon black or oxo-degradable plastic.
Key dates
- December 20, 2022: manufacture and import for sale in Canada prohibited.
- December 20, 2023: sale prohibited.
- December 20, 2025: manufacture, import and sale for export prohibited.
What to check in your own kitchen
- Material. Look for foam (polystyrene) or PVC, and for black plastic that gets its colour from carbon black.
- Remaining stock. Sale dates have passed, so plan to move away from any leftover foam or affected black containers.
- Your supplier's product data. Ask for the material listed on the spec sheet before you reorder.
Alternatives that work for takeout
- Paper and paperboard containers for sandwiches, burgers and dry food. Browse our paperware.
- Plant-based and compostable containers for hot meals and sides. See our eco-friendly disposables.
- Clear and colour-neutral plastic containers where a lidded container is needed. Browse take-out containers.
- Catering trays and packaging for larger orders. See catering disposables.
Tips for a smooth switch
- Order a small test case before replacing your whole stock, and check lid fit and heat tolerance with your real menu.
- Buy by the case. Wholesale pricing makes the switch much cheaper than retail packaging.
- Update your menu or order sheet so staff grab the new containers by default.
Need help matching a container to your menu, or a quote for a bulk order? Contact our team or email orders@restaurantsupplywholesale.ca.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the current regulations on the Government of Canada website for your situation.