Environment & Sustainability
Be The Solution
The District of Tofino recognizes the changing nature of our community and the opportunities and challenges we will be facing in the future. As a society, we have learned over the years that the accumulated impacts of human activity over the past two centuries are now threatening the continued well-being of our planet and life on it.
Reducing Single-Use Plastics
In 2022, Tofino became the first municipality in British Columbia to ban single-use plastic utensils, including spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks and stir sticks. This amendment added plastic utensils to the already banned single-use items, including polystyrene takeaway containers, plastic straws and checkout bags.
The Single-Use Item Regulation Amendment Bylaw aims to reduce single-use plastic waste in our communities, landfill, and marine environment and mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production and usage.
Why is reducing the number of single-use items important?
- The average Canadian uses between 200-300 bags each year. Similarly, approximately 57 million straws are used in Canada every day - which either end up in municipal waste streams or as litter in public places and the environment.
- Each year, at least 8 million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean - which is equivalent to dumping the contents of one garbage truck into the ocean every minute.
- Around the world, plastic bags are consistently listed as a top ten item found littered on beaches.
- By reducing the creation of waste from single-use items and the associated municipal costs, the District of Tofino will be able to better steward municipal property, including sewers, streets, parks, beaches, and waterways.
Take Back the Tap
As part of Surfrider Pacific Rim's campaign residents and visitors are encouraged to refill your reusable bottle with fresh, delicious, safe drinking water from one of the free water dispensers in Pacific Rim. Learn more about the Take Back the Tap Campaign.
Will You Take the #5MinuteBeachClean Challenge?
The District of Tofino in partnership with Surfrider Pacific Rim and Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks launched the 5 Minute Beach Clean Challenge to help encourage beach stewardship by cleaning as you go.
It only takes a few simple steps!
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Collect
Collect marine debris or litter, spend five minutes picking up as much debris as you can find.
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Capture
Post a photo to Instagram or Twitter and hashtag #Surfrider #5minutebeachclean to encourage others to do the same!
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Dispose
Bring the items to the nearest waste disposal station. If the beach doesn’t have a garbage or recycling bin, you can take the items home for disposal.
Keeping Our Air Clean
Beach fires have long been a part of Tofino’s culture, but the impacts associated with increased fires have posed real challenges to our community’s well-being.
Restrictions are now in place, providing a compromise that allows beach fires to continue while working to limit the environmental impacts.
Beach/Campfires are only permitted on Mackenzie and Chesterman Beaches between 8 AM and 10 PM and must be contained in a Clean Burning or Reduced Smoke Fire Appliance.
What is a Clean Burning or Reduced Smoke Fire Appliance and how does it reduce environmental impact?
A clean burning or reduced smoke fire appliance:
- Uses propane or dry firewood
- It is raised off the ground
- Allows air to be introduced either mechanically or through ventilation openings
Using a Clean Burning or Reduce Smoke Fire Appliance can reduce smoke emissions from burning wood.
For full details of outdoor burning restrictions, view the Outdoor Burning Bylaw.
Using a modern, clean-burning, wood heating appliance and basic clean-burning practices can reduce but not eliminate smoke emissions from wood heating.