City of Edmonton
City Council passed the single-use item reduction bylaw back in October.. On Saturday , July 1st it officially came into effect.
According to the city, its purpose is to reduce waste, in hopes of replacing these items with reusable alternatives.
Shopping bags, plastic utensils, foam take-out containers, and single-use cups are on the list of items which will now come with a fee associated, should you not choose to use your own.
The bylaw applies to most organizations that have a business licence while charities will see exemptions.
Plastic bags are now no longer available , even at a price. Shoppers are now required to pay at least 15 cents for a paper bag or at least $1 for a reusable bag.
The mission is for Edmontonians to get in the habit of bringing their own bags to reduce the amount of bags being thrown away.
Exempt items include baked goods , produce, and other unpackaged foods, bulk items and medication from a pharmacist.
Paper and other disposable cups can no longer be the default for dine-in service.
Every restaurant must also have a policy for when and how they accept customers’ reusable cups and mugs.
Styrofoam plates , containers and cups are now banned entirely and utensils, straws, napkins, and condiments are only available on request or at self-serve stations, and not by default.
Federal Regulations versus City Bylaw
The federal single-use plastics regulations complement Edmonton’s bylaw. Both ban plastic shopping bags and foam cups, plates and takeout containers. The federal regulations also ban plastic straws, stir sticks, utensils and other types of plastics that are difficult to recycle. In contrast, the City’s bylaw aims to reduce single-use items, regardless of material, and make it easier to choose reusable items.
The manufacture of affected items is banned federally as of December 2022, but they can be sold and used in Canada until December 2023.
By developing our own bylaw to restrict the use of single-use items, the City can better support and educate businesses and residents, rather than relying on federal resources to help them adapt. This approach will lead to greater compliance and better environmental outcomes.
Bill chatted with Alison Abbinik , the Waste Management Lead with the C ity of Edmonton to explain in a more detail:
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