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June 25, 2024
With the first year of Edmonton’s Single-use Item Reduction Bylaw nearly complete, 73 per cent of shoppers already use reusable bags for the majority of shopping trips. This means most people will continue skipping the new bag fees that take effect July 1: paper bags will cost 25 cents, and new reusable bags will cost $2.
This planned increase was established through the Bylaw, passed in October 2022, and takes an approach similar to other jurisdictions. Bag fees encourage customers to reduce waste by bringing their own bags while helping businesses cover the costs of paper and reusable bags. A minimum fee of 25 cents for a paper shopping bag is common in other municipalities, as lower fees have been shown to result in less effective behaviour change. A November 2023 City survey indicated Edmontonians would be more likely to bring their reusable bags for shopping and takeout as a result of higher fees.
“Time and again, our research shows that Edmontonians care about the environment and want to do their part to make a difference,” said Denis Jubinville, Branch Manager, Waste Services. “Through their continued efforts, we are reducing our environmental footprint while still supporting local businesses and the economy.”
As of December 31, 2023, 76 per cent of food service licence holders visited by the Waste Services education outreach team were fully compliant with the Bylaw, with another 23 per cent partially compliant. Using an education-first approach, the City works with businesses to help them reach compliance. The City has a comprehensive website with employee and customer support tools, in addition to in-person outreach, to help businesses comply with the Bylaw. Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items targets a 10 per cent reduction in regulated items per person by 2025, and a 20 per cent reduction by 2027.
Single-use bags and cups are among Edmonton’s most-littered items. When fewer of these items are produced and used, less waste ends up on our streets, in parks and in landfills. Less waste also means fewer emissions from making, shipping and disposing of cups, bags and other single-use items.
“When the Bylaw came into effect last year, we heard that some people felt frustrated with the new requirements,” said Jubinville. “Habits and norms are being challenged, and that kind of change can initially be inconvenient. But that inconvenience is often short-lived, and can motivate people to change their behaviour to reduce waste and litter. And the early results show we’re pointing in that direction. The fee on bags encourages customers to use whatever bags they have, as often as they can, for as long as they can.”
The City encourages businesses to implement systems to help customers avoid the bag fee, such as setting up “take a bag, leave a bag” stations or providing used cardboard boxes for customer use. Edmontonians can also drop off and pick up free reusable bags at the Reuse Centre.
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