Vancouvercity council votes to repeal 25 cent, single-use cup fee, effective May 1

Businesses in Vancouver will no longer be required tocharge a fee for single-use cups as of May 1, a move that reverses adecision by the previous city council.

A statement from the city Tuesday says the 25-cent fee will berepealed along with the requirement for businesses to acceptcustomers' clean reusable cups.

However, it says businesses are still encouraged to acceptreusable drinking cups and offer discounts to customers who bringtheir own.

The fee took effect at the start of last year as part of astrategy to reduce waste from single-use items.

The city's statement says staff are to report back to council bythe end of the year with recommendations for alternative policies tohelp reduce single-use cups.

The motion to scrap the feeput forward by Coun. Rebecca Blighsays it did not result in a shift in consumer behaviour and camewith negative consequences, including "equity impacts'' onvulnerable people.

Listen| CBC's BCToday discusses the utility of fees on single-use items like cups:

The city says staff will take steps in the coming weeks to informbusinesses and other stakeholders of the changes coming May 1.

It says the changes do not affect existing bylaws for single-useshopping bags, straws, utensils and foam containers.

Council originally voted to axe the tax in mid-February, but a formal repeal requiredstaff to draft bylaw amendment language.