The busy travel season is just around the corner, and visitors to one of the most popular spots in B.C. will want to make sure they are prepared by bringing their own water bottles.
The District of Tofino has announced that the official implementation of its amended Single-Use Item Regulation Bylaw will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
First adopted by council last summer, the move makes Tofino the first Canadian municipality to ban the retail sale of single-use plastic water bottles of one litre or less.
Surfrider Foundation
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“Protecting the health of our coastlines requires more than just words—it requires a collective shift in how we live and do business,” said Dan Law, mayor of the District of Tofino, in a release.
“This bylaw reflects Tofino’s shared values and our community’s proven desire to lead the way in reducing plastic pollution. By building on the groundwork laid by Surfrider, the proactive leadership of our local businesses, and our enduring respect for Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation stewardship, we are embracing a ‘refill and reuse’ culture to protect the environment we all share.”
The amendment to the Single-Use Item Regulation Bylaw takes effect on Earth Day, and restricts the sale of any plastic water bottle, one litre or less, with the only exemptions allowed being:
- Bottles sold in packaged multiples or flats
- Declared local, provincial, or federal emergencies when the Emergency Operations Centre is activated
- Water Conservation Stage 3
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
The District of Tofino shared that it has worked closely with Surfrider Foundation, Tourism Tofino, and the Tofino Chamber of Commerce since the amendment was adopted to support local businesses and visitors.
Businesses are also able to request “Free Water Refills Here” decals to display on their storefronts in an initiative the District says will help build “a visible and accessible refill culture throughout Tofino.
Artacke Pictures/Shutterstock
“Plastic water bottles are consistently one of the most common items we find during shoreline clean-ups, which shows just how urgent this issue is,” said Lilly Woodbury, regional manager of Surfrider Foundation Canada, in a statement.
“If we want to reduce plastic pollution at its source, we need more municipalities to follow this example and help create a culture where refilling, not throwing away, becomes the norm.”
Do you support the banning of single-use water bottles? Do you think that Vancouver should follow Tofino’s example? Let us know in the comments or get in touch at vancouver@dailyhive.com.