Retailers
Under the law retailers are grocery stores. They must register and collect the surcharge. Under the law, convenience stores are not retailers.
If you think your business may be considered a retailer under the Single-use Retail Bag Regulations, please complete the Request for Determination of Status as a Grocery Store – SRBP R2 form (Excel, PDF) and submit it to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
If you are a retailer according under the Single-use Retail Bag Program, please complete and submit the Application for Registration as a Retailer – SRBP R1 form. (Excel, PDF)
Retailers that require financial assistance toward their first purchase of single-use retail bags under the SRBP may be eligible for a one-time interest-free loan. This loan must be repaid within six months. To apply, download the Retailer Application for Interest-free Loan form. (Excel, PDF)
Retailers that require a refund for defective or otherwise unusable bags must submit a completed Defective Bag Refund Report - Retailer – SRBP RF1 form to their distributor. (Excel, PDF)
All completed forms should be sent to:
Environment Division
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Government of the Northwest Territories
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Attention: Waste Reduction Coordinator
Phone: (867) 873-7654
Fax: (867) 873-0221
In the summer of 2009, ENR sought the input of NWT retailers to help finalize the design of the Single-use Retail Bag Program (SRBP). A questionnaire was sent to 245 retailers across the NWT. Click here to see what retailers had to say.
The Regulations say that retailers:
- Take responsibility to find out if they must register.
If they’re not sure if they qualify as a grocery store under the law, ask the GNWT. Receive an answer within 21 days.
If they know they’re a grocery store under the law, go ahead and apply to register.
- Apply to the GNWT and register as a retailer.
Use GNWT forms and provide all the information they ask for – new applications or renewals.
Must not distribute or sell a single-use retail bag unless they register with the program.
- Receive written notice by registered mail, to find out if the GNWT approves or rejects the application.
Receive the notice within 45 days for a new application, within 21 days for a renewal.
If the GNWT rejects the application, the notice says why. If the GNWT needs more information, the notice says what information they need and when the retailer must provide it.
- Provide additional information within the time allowed.
If not, the GNWT sends a written notice to say they assume the retailer has dropped the application.
- Must NOT transfer the registration to another person or business.
- Follow any conditions the GNWT places on the registration.
Each registration lasts for up to three years.
- May appeal a decision the GNWT makes to:
- Decide a retailer is a grocery store and must register.
- Refuse to register a retailer who applies.
- Amend, suspend, or cancel a registration.
Appeal in writing within 30 days of when the store receives the decision. The GNWT reviews all information and responds within 45 days.
- Obtain single-use retail bags ONLY from a distributor who is registered with this program.
Starting Jan. 15, 2010 grocery stores pay the $0.25 surcharge to the distributor when the store pays for the bags. The invoice / receipt shows the number of bags and total surcharge.
Apply to distributors to get a refund for any surcharge the store already paid on faulty bags. They must use GNWT forms.
- Collect the $0.25 surcharge for each bag the store gives to a customer.
Collect the surcharge starting Jan. 15, 2010. Stores keep the surcharge for any bags they have in stock and paid for before Jan. 15, 2010.
The cash register receipt shows the number of bags and total surcharge.
- Keep accurate records that show:
- Number of single-use bags bought or obtained from distributors.
- Number of faulty bags, with refunds.
- Number of bags distributed or sold to customers.
- Total surcharge collected from customers.
- Total amount paid to distributors.
- Any other information the GNWT needs. Grocery stores must keep records for six years and provide copies to the GNWT if / when they ask.
- May apply to the Environment Fund for a one-time, repayable loan.
The purpose of the loan is to help grocery stores offset start-up costs – to follow the laws. For example, to help pay the surcharge for the first lot of bags they buy after Jan. 15, 2010.
- May pay a penalty for breaking the law.
The Waste Reduction and Recovery Act defines the penalties for breaking the law: a ticket and maximum fine of $50,000 and / or six months in jail.
