A canister for use in an evaporative emission control system that includes an external housing; a membrane module separating the external housing into an inlet side and an outlet side; an entrance located on the inlet side in fluid communication with a fuel tank, such that a vapor mixture flows into the inlet side; an exit located on the outlet side in fluid communication with an internal combustion engine; a first valve that reversibly connects the inlet side to atmosphere; and optionally, a second valve that reversibly connects the outlet side to atmosphere. The membrane module includes one or more structured membranes having a surface with a plurality of folds, the membrane being shaped as a flat sheet or into a cylindrical geometry. The vapor mixture flows from the entrance along the surface of the membrane, such that gaseous fuel vapor permeates through the membrane to the outlet side.