Waste Reduction

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Every Edmontonian has the power to reduce the waste they make at home and at work. Reducing waste not only saves money but also helps to protect our environment and conserve valuable resources.

The City of Edmonton supports waste reduction through:

Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items

General overview about Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items.

View single-use items fact sheet

Waste Reduction Roadmap

Identifies programs and regulations that will result in fewer materials becoming part of the waste stream.

25-year Waste Strategy

Emphasizes waste prevention and waste reduction, and redesigns our services to help all Edmontonians play a bigger role in Edmonton’s zero waste future.

Waste Reduction and Reuse Grant

Provides support for innovative community actions that will help us reach our waste reduction goals.

Public Education Programs and Initiatives

Programs and initiatives in place that support waste reduction.

Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items

Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use items (SUI) includes measures to help reduce the number of single-use items used by residents and businesses. The SUI Plan notes that regulatory and voluntary actions, along with strong communications and support programs are required to reduce the use of SUI.

The following regulatory actions have been developed and will be incorporated into a future bylaw:

Banning single-use plastic shopping bags and imposing a minimum fee on paper shopping bags and new reusable shopping bags
Banning foam cups and containers
Requiring restaurants to serve dine-in beverage orders in reusable cups and accept reusable customer cups for dine-in and takeout orders (excluding drive-through)
Providing accessories like utensils, straws, pre-packaged condiments and napkins, by request only

As one of the first support programs to be developed, the City is also planning to offer a grant to help non-profit organizations adapt to the changes. More information will be available later in 2022 when the bylaw is approved.

Why does this matter?

Every single-use item, regardless of what it is made of, has environmental impacts, such as:

Greenhouse gas emissions from production, distribution and disposal
Taking up landfill space
Degrading natural habitat if littered

That’s why the goal of the City’s SUI Plan is to reduce the number of single-use items being used, not just to replace plastics with other materials.

Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items and accompanying recommended bylaw direction were approved by City Council on April 4, 2022. Residents will have the opportunity to speak at a public hearing before a bylaw is approved. The bylaw will take effect one year after it is approved.

By taking action to reduce waste, we can make our community healthier, more attractive and more vibrant now and into the future.

Learn more about Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items in this fact sheet.

View the Single-use Items Reduction Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the City going to ban single-use items?

The recommended combination of approaches to reduce the use of single-use items is described in the Bylaw Direction (Attachment 2 of CO01033), which was approved by Council on April 4. A public hearing will be held before a bylaw can be approved.

The City explored a variety of approaches to reduce the use of single-use items like shopping bags, straws and disposable cups. Different approaches were found to be most appropriate for different kinds of single-use items.

If the recommended bylaw direction is enacted, the City will ban single-use plastic bags and foam cups and containers. Accessories such as utensils, straws, napkins and pre-packaged condiments will be available on request (rather than provided by default), and restaurants will be required to serve dine-in drink orders in reusable cups, and accept customer-supplied reusable cups.

Will there be a fine for using single-use items, for either residents or businesses?

The approved bylaw direction focuses on education and outreach rather than enforcement. The City will provide various supports to ensure businesses are able to comply with the bylaw. Enforcement (via ticketing) would only occur after outreach efforts have been exhausted, but may be warranted in cases of deliberate and harmful non-compliance. If necessary, tickets would be issued at the discretion of a municipal enforcement officer. While fines are a possibility, the goal of the strategy and bylaw is to reduce the use of single-use items, not to punish people or businesses who use them.

What’s the difference between “single-use items” and “single-use plastics”?

“Single-use items” includes items that are made of plastic, as well as those made out of wood, bamboo, cardboard or any other material. The goal of the City’s single-use item reduction strategy is to reduce the amount of single-use items being used, not just to replace plastics with other materials. Every single-use item, regardless of what it is made of, carries an environmental cost. For this reason, we are focusing on “single-use items,” not “single-use plastics.”

What about things like disposable face masks, other personal protective equipment, and sterile packaging?

Restrictions affect only the identified single-use items that are provided for convenience, like shopping bags, cups, foam cups and containers, and accessories such as straws, utensils and pre-packaged condiments. Items like disposable face masks, gloves and sterile packaging are not subject to restrictions.

Why bother with this initiative if the federal government is implementing its own ban?

While Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items is in general alignment with the federal government’s approach, the draft federal regulations only address specific single-use plastics. If the federal regulations are passed, unintended consequences could occur as other single-use materials are substituted for plastic items.

Our proposed restrictions emphasize reusables, rather than replacing plastics with other materials. Furthermore, the timing of the federal actions is uncertain, as are the enforcement plans and the mechanisms to support businesses with the transition.

City Council directed Administration to proceed with developing a strategy to reduce single-use items that will work for Edmonton and align with proposed federal regulations. Council also directed Administration that the local bylaw should not be delayed until federal regulations are in effect.

I have a disability and I need plastic straws.

As per the approved bylaw direction, straws will continue to be available by request to any customer at establishments that choose to provide them. The approved bylaw direction does not distinguish between different types of single-use straws.

The draft federal regulations prohibit the manufacture, import and sale of all plastic straws, with a limited exemption for packages of flexible plastic straws that will still be available for individuals to purchase (behind the counter) from pharmacies and some retailers. Customers who require a straw would need to bring their own, as restaurants will not have plastic straws available.

Plastic bags aren’t really single-use for me-- I reuse them, put garbage in them, and so on. Why should I buy plastic bags just to put garbage in?

Reusing single-use bags as garbage bags is a good way to reduce waste. Most plastic shopping bags can also be recycled. However, far more single-use bags are produced than are reused. Research has also shown that bans on plastic bags result in an overall decrease in plastic consumption, despite increased purchase of garbage bags. For those reasons, restricting their use is more beneficial.

Garbage bags are actually not even required in Edmonton’s garbage carts, except to contain dusty (including sawdust, kitty litter, old furnace filters and vacuum dust) or wet waste, non-hazardous medical waste and pet waste. Bagging these items ensures these materials stay contained when being collected.

If you prefer to bag your garbage, you may continue to use single-use plastic bags as garbage bags until you run out. You can also reuse other types of bags, such as packaging, for garbage. Single-use paper bags, which are not banned, can also be used to line your food scraps pail and cart.

What about COVID/germs in general? I think that reusable alternatives to single-use items are less sanitary.

Both disposable and reusable options will continue to be available in many establishments, and both can be used safely. The approved bylaw direction bans only plastic shopping bags and polystyrene foam (Styrofoam, or “foam”) items. While reusable containers are preferred, all other types of takeout containers will be allowed, and accessories, like straws and condiment packets, will be available by request.

Studies from all over the world (including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) have shown that the risk of COVID-19 transmission from objects is low, and that reusable items can be safely used. Vaccination, physical distancing and masking are far more effective ways of mitigating the spread of COVID-19, rather than avoiding reusable items. Still, growing demand for food takeout and delivery, coupled with the need to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, makes it clear that single-use items will continue to play a role in food and customer safety.

Waste Reduction and Reuse Grant

The Waste Reduction and Reuse Grant helps fund the people and projects that support waste reduction and reuse in Edmonton. The funding is for innovative community actions that will reduce residential waste and increase participation in waste diversion. There is a total of $50,000 available that will be shared between the successful applicants.

Please read the Grant Guidelines and Assessment Criteria before applying.

Grant Application Form

Application deadline is March 15, 2022.

Apply for Grant

Waste Reduction Roadmap

Edmonton has developed a Waste Reduction Roadmap to support the commitments identified in the 25-year Waste Strategy. The Roadmap identifies programs and regulations that will result in fewer materials becoming part of the waste stream over the next three years.

The development of the roadmap included:

A review of current waste reduction offerings in Edmonton
Best practices research and how those practices can be applied to Edmonton
An evaluation of new ways to reduce waste - including programs, regulations and partnerships with community organizations
Engagement with key stakeholders and the general public

Waste Reduction RoadMap (28MB)

Implementation of the Roadmap will happen over three years and will result in fewer materials from Edmonton residents and businesses becoming part of the waste stream.

Zero Waste Framework

There are many ways to manage waste. The Zero Waste Framework, below, lists them in order of most to least preferred. Rethink, reduce and reuse focus on preventing waste and provide the most environmental, economic and social benefits.

Waste prevention reduces the amount of natural resources used, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, reduces the cost of collecting and managing waste, and redistributes usable items among community members.

Zero Waste Framework Photo

Each level of the Zero Waste Framework is described below, with a few tips to help you think about how you can get on board.

Rethink/Redesign

Encourage and support the design of products and systems that minimize waste and support a circular economy.

Purchase products made from reused, recycled or sustainably-harvested materials
Buy items that are durable, repairable, fully recyclable or compostable, so that they don’t end up in a landfill
Support businesses, product designers and manufacturers that are committed to using natural resources sustainably
Join sharing networks to avoid buying things that you may only use a few times, such as books and tools
Support initiatives that focus on rethinking consumption habits, and advocate for your right to repair items, and for producers to take responsibility for the waste they produce

Reduce

Prevent waste at the source to minimize how much you have to throw away.

Purchase products with minimal packaging
Plan ahead when shopping and attending events by bringing reusable items with you, in order to avoid single-use items
Substitute something you already have to fill a need instead of buying something new
When offered, decline promotional and single-use items that you don’t need
Plan meals and grocery shop with a list to reduce food waste
Reduce yard waste by going bagless

Reuse

Use an item for the duration of its life.

Donate, sell or gift items that are still in good condition. Edmonton Reuse Directory has a list of organizations that accept items for reuse
Purchase pre-owned items
Repair or refurbish items to extend their life
Join community buy and sell groups to swap items with neighbours. Here are some tips for organizing a clothing swap
Check our Reuse blogs for more tips and interesting ideas

Recycle/Compost

Turn waste into a new product that can be used again through mechanical, chemical or biological processes.

Compost food scraps and yard waste at home, and use the nutrient-rich compost in your yard or garden.
Make the most of the services provided by the City of Edmonton and learn how to sort your waste to recycle as much as you can. Use WasteWise to eliminate the guesswork.

Recover

Mechanical and biological processes that recover additional materials from the waste that cannot be recycled or composted. This includes recovering energy from waste.

Residuals Management

Responsible management of waste that cannot be recycled, composted or recovered as energy, as well as environmentally responsible management of existing landfills to maximize their capacity/lifespan.

Waste Reduction Updates

Public Education Programs and Initiatives

The City of Edmonton has many programs and initiatives in place that support waste reduction.

Programs

Tours and Presentations for Schools
Master Composter Recycler Program
Home composting workshops, support and education centre

Initiatives

For More Information

Email	wastereduction@edmonton.ca

Waste Reduction

The City of Edmonton supports waste reduction through:

Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items

Why does this matter?

Frequently Asked Questions

Waste Reduction and Reuse Grant

Grant Application Form

Waste Reduction Roadmap

Zero Waste Framework

Each level of the Zero Waste Framework is described below, with a few tips to help you think about how you can get on board.

Waste Reduction Updates

Public Education Programs and Initiatives

The City of Edmonton has many programs and initiatives in place that support waste reduction.

Programs

Initiatives

Related Documents

Related Links

For More Information