The District of Tofino is reminding local businesses that the sale of single-use plastic water bottles 1 litre and less will be prohibited as of April 22, 2026, coinciding with Earth Day.

In August 2025, Council approved the amendment to the District’s Single-Use Item Regulation Bylaw, making the District of Tofino the first municipality in Canada to prohibit the retail sale of plastic water bottles 1 litre and less across an entire municipality.

This action builds on the bylaw, which also prohibits other single-use items, including:

Together, these measures reflect the District’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. Single-use items, including plastic water bottles, are among the most commonly found forms of shoreline and marine debris both locally and globally. Once in the environment, these materials can persist for decades, breaking down into microplastics that can negatively impact marine life, fragile coastal ecosystems, and the health of waterways that the community depends on. Reducing the availability of unnecessary single-use plastics is a practical step toward protecting these ecosystems and supporting long-term environmental resilience.

• Aluminum or glass bottles
• Refillable bottles designed for repeated use
• Promoting tap water refills, including offering refill stations or allowing

• Upon request by a customer with an accessibility need. Customers are not required to provide any medical information to prove their need.
• Does not apply to the sale of bottles intended for use in the customer’s home, provided they are sold in packaged multiples.
• Does not apply when notice has been given for, and for the duration of, any of the following events:
  • a declaration of a state of local, provincial or federal emergency
  • an activation of the Emergency Operations Centre
  • Water Conservation Stage 3

• Sell existing inventory of single-use plastic water bottles
• Update ordering and supply practices
• Transition to suitable alternatives such as aluminum & glass bottles and other refill-friendly options
• Educate guests through email, websites, and social media that Tofino’s drinking water is safe to drink, and encourage visitors to bring reusable water bottles as part of their travel planning