{"id":10416,"date":"2025-11-26T18:44:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T18:44:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gosnappy.io\/blog\/?p=10416"},"modified":"2025-11-26T18:57:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T18:57:20","slug":"sustainability-policies-that-will-impact-canadian-restaurants-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gosnappy.io\/blog\/sustainability-policies-that-will-impact-canadian-restaurants-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability Policies That Will Impact Canadian Restaurants In 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Sustainability Policies That Will Impact Canadian Restaurants In 2026<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThomas Campbell\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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November 26th, 2025<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The sustainability rulebook for Canadian restaurants is getting a serious update in 2026. Based on the Restaurants Canada Sustainability Policy Tracker<\/a>, operators will be navigating new requirements around chemicals in packaging, greenwashing, plastics reporting, organics diversion, and single-use items at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.<\/p>

Even if you never see your restaurant\u2019s name on a government form, these policies will shape what you can buy, how you manage waste, and what you\u2019re allowed to say in your marketing. Here\u2019s what\u2019s coming and how it\u2019s likely to impact your operation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u00a0Summary<\/h4>

  • PFAS chemicals in food packaging are under federal review<\/strong> and likely to face restrictions.<\/p><\/li>

  • New greenwashing rules require restaurants to prove any environmental marketing claims<\/strong>.<\/p><\/li>

  • Terms like \u201csustainable,\u201d \u201ceco-friendly,\u201d or \u201ccompostable\u201d must be backed<\/strong> by documentation.<\/p><\/li>

  • The federal single-use plastics ban is fully implemented by late 2025<\/strong>, affecting bags, cutlery, and foodservice ware.<\/p><\/li>

  • Provincial EPR programs (BC, ON, QC, NS) will increase costs<\/strong> for non-recyclable packaging.<\/p><\/li>

  • More municipalities are introducing fees or bans on single-use cups<\/strong>, accessories, and containers.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    \u201cForever chemicals\u201d in food packaging are under the microscope<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    At the federal level, the government has already issued a Section 71 notice on PFAS (\u201cforever chemicals\u201d)<\/strong>, requiring companies to report where and how these substances are being used in Canada. That data will be used to build a State of PFAS Report and Risk Management Approach, with consultations running into late 2025 and beyond.<\/p>

    What this means for restaurants in 2026:<\/p>

    • Food packaging will change<\/strong>. Grease-resistant wrappers, boxes, and takeout containers that rely on PFAS are likely to be restricted over time. Your distributors may start switching lines or phasing out certain SKUs.<\/li>
    • Prices and availability may shift.<\/strong> As suppliers reformulate packaging, you may see higher prices in the short term and longer lead times on \u201csafer\u201d alternatives.<\/li>
    • Due diligence will matter.<\/strong> Chains and larger independents will increasingly be expected to ask their suppliers for information on PFAS and other chemicals of concern in food-contact materials.<\/li><\/ul>

      Action for 2026: Start asking your packaging and chemical suppliers for documentation on PFAS and safer alternatives now, so you\u2019re not scrambling when new rules or market shifts kick in.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Greenwashing rules will reshape your marketing claims<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      In 2025, the Competition Bureau released and finalized Environmental Claims Guidelines<\/strong>, setting expectations for what companies must do to back up claims like \u201ceco-friendly,\u201d \u201ccarbon neutral,\u201d \u201czero waste,\u201d or \u201c100% compostable.\u201d<\/p>

      For restaurants, 2026 will be the first full year operating under these new expectations:<\/p>

      • Vague green claims are risky.<\/strong> Saying your restaurant is \u201csustainable\u201d or \u201cgreen\u201d without clear, verifiable evidence can attract regulatory and reputational risk.<\/li>
      • You need proof, not just good intentions.<\/strong> If you claim your packaging is compostable, you should have documentation showing it\u2019s certified and accepted in local programs not just \u201cit says compostable on the box.\u201d<\/li>
      • Carbon and climate claims will be scrutinized.<\/strong> Any \u201ccarbon neutral delivery\u201d or \u201cnet-zero restaurant\u201d messaging will need solid methodology and third-party evidence.<\/li><\/ul>

        Action for 2026: Audit your website, menus, in-store signage, social media, and delivery apps for environmental claims. Either back them up with real evidence and numbers, or simplify the wording to focus on concrete actions (\u201cwe separate food waste,\u201d \u201cwe\u2019ve switched to reusable dine-in tableware,\u201d etc.).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Plastics and packaging: more reporting and more responsibility<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Plastics and packaging policy is shifting from feel-good campaigns to hard data and mandatory reporting. The key pieces:<\/p>

        • Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SUP ban<\/strong>). The federal rules banning many single-use plastic items (checkout bags, cutlery, stir sticks, certain foodservice ware, straws, and ring carriers) are fully phased in by December 20, 2025, including restrictions on manufacturing for export.<\/li>
        • Federal Plastics Registry.<\/strong> This new federal reporting system requires companies that place plastic products on the market to report volumes and types of plastics. Phase 1 reporting (for consumer-facing packaging and some other categories) is due in 2025, and Phase 2 reporting, which covers more types of packaging and products supplied to service providers, comes due in late 2026.<\/li>
        • Provincial EPR (extended producer responsibility) for packaging<\/strong>. Provinces like British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec already have packaging EPR systems. Nova Scotia\u2019s residential recycling program for packaging and paper begins implementation in December 2025, with producer invoices starting in early 2026.<\/li><\/ul>

          How this trickles down to restaurants:<\/p>

          • Your suppliers will start charging environmental fees.<\/strong> Even if you\u2019re not the \u201cproducer\u201d on paper, distributors and brand owners will build EPR and plastics registry costs into their pricing.<\/li>
          • Non-recyclable and hard-to-manage packaging will get more expensive.<\/strong> Over time, fees are designed to favour easily recyclable or reusable options.<\/li>
          • Chains and large groups may be pulled directly into reporting.<\/strong> If you import private-label packaging or operate central commissaries, you may have direct obligations to track packaging weights and formats.<\/li><\/ul>

            Action for 2026:<\/p>

            • Standardize your packaging SKUs where possible.<\/li>
            • Prefer formats that are widely accepted in local recycling programs.<\/li>
            • Keep records of what you buy (material type, weights, quantities) so you can respond quickly if your brand, franchisor, or suppliers ask for data.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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