New: Bag Program Expansion

Expansion of Single-use Retail Bag Regulations to Include all Retail Stores– Effective February 1, 2011

February 18, 2011

On February 1, 2011, an amendment to the Single-use Retail Bag Regulations (Regulations) came into effect that has implications for all Northwest Territories (NWT) retail stores and their single-use retail bag (SRB) distributors.  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) would like to inform all retailers and their bag distributors of their responsibilities under the amended Regulations. 

Amended Regulations:

Click here for a copy of the amended Single-use Retail Bag Regulations. 

Click here for a Plain Language Summary of the amended Regulations.

Click here for a copy of the Single-use Retail Bag Program Operational Policies.

Retailers:

All retail stores must register with the program.  As February 1, 2011, these stores must also:

  • Obtain their SRBs from registered SRB distributors;
  • Charge customers 25¢ for each SRB distributed;
  • Indicate all applicable SRB surcharges on the customer’s receipt;
  • Collect GST on the SRB surcharges collected from customers; and
  • Remit GST to Canada Revenue Agency.

Retailers that redistribute SRBs must also report on this redistribution, and can apply directly to the GNWT for a refund on surcharges paid for SRBs redistributed to non-retail stores.  Retailers that redistribute SRBs to retail stores must also register as distributors under the program.

Retailers requiring assistance with their first purchase of SRBs under the program may be eligible for a one-time, repayable loan from the Environment Fund.

Retailers that do not supply customers with SRBs, or that cease to provide SRBs to customers as of February 1, 2011, are not required to register, but must submit a completed Retailer Declaration – Single-use Retail Bag Free Establishment form to ENR.

Retailer Forms:

Distributors:

All distributors of SRBs to NWT retail stores must register with the program.  As of February 1, 2011, all distributors must also:

  • Charge all NWT retail stores 25¢ for each SRB distributed to these stores (please note, the 25¢ fee already applies to SRBs distributed to any NWT grocery stores);
  • Remit all collected SRB surcharges to the Environment Fund on a quarterly basis;
  • Report all SRBs distributed to NWT retail stores on a quarterly basis;
  • Retail all books and records required for a period of six years after the year in which the books or records were produced.
  • Collect GST on the SRB surcharges collected from retail stores; and
  • Remit GST to Canada Revenue Agency.

Please note that GST does not apply to the fees a distributor remits to the GNWT’s Environment Fund.  The GNWT is GST exempt, and therefore does not accept, nor collect GST.

Distributor Forms: