Single-use Item Reduction

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Edmonton’s Single-use Item Reduction Bylaw (20117) will help reduce waste by targeting items that can easily be avoided or replaced with reusable options. The goal is to reduce single-use items, not to switch from plastic items to non-plastic items.

“Single-use items” includes items that are made of plastic, as well as those made out of wood, bamboo, cardboard or any other material.

This bylaw (20117) applies to most organizations that are required to hold a business licence or civic event permit (for 1,500+ attendees) issued by the City of Edmonton.

Exemptions exist for charities, organizations without a business license and some types of business.

Businesses and Events

My business or event uses single-use items and I want to know how the bylaw applies to me.

View Information for Businesses and Events

Charities and Exempt Organizations

The bylaw does not apply to me, but I want more information on how I can use fewer single-use items.

View Information for Exempt Organizations

What Do I Need to Know About the Bylaw?

Watch on YouTube to use translated captions.

The bylaw addresses these items:

Shopping Bags

Single-use plastic shopping bags can no longer be distributed, and businesses must charge at least 15 cents for a paper shopping bag and at least $1 for a new reusable shopping bag.

These minimum fees will increase on July 1, 2024 to 25 cents for a paper bag and $2 for a new reusable bag.

The bylaw does not apply to bags used for containing these types of items:

All types of bulk items, from candy to screws
Produce, baked goods and other unpackaged foods
Medications from a pharmacist

It also does not apply to bags used solely to protect dry cleaned clothes, newspapers and other types of items that might become dirty or unusable from exposure.

Foam (“Styrofoam”) Plates, Cups and Containers

These items can no longer be used.

Single-use Cups

Restaurants must serve dine-in drink orders in reusable cups and have a written policy for accepting reusable customer cups.

Reusable cups are made from durable materials like metal, ceramic or hard plastic, and can withstand repeated washing, sanitizing and use.

Foodware Accessories

Accessories such as utensils, straws, condiment packets and napkins will only be available by request or self-serve.

What are the Benefits of the Bylaw?

Environmental Benefits

Asking businesses and customers to use fewer single-use items means:

Fewer of these items—cups, straws, shopping bags, condiment packets and more—will be thrown in the garbage or littered
Reduced emissions from the production, shipping and disposal of these items

Through these measures, the City aims to reduce the number of regulated single-use items used in Edmonton by 20% per person within 4 years.

Benefits to Businesses

Several bylaw regulations can save businesses money:

Providing items like disposable cutlery, straws and condiment packets only upon request ensures businesses aren’t paying for unnecessary items
Serving dine-in beverages in reusable cups can save businesses about 20 cents per beverage served
Charging the minimum fee for paper and reusable bags will help you to offset the higher cost of these items. Businesses will keep the revenue from bag fees

Learn more at Business Resources and Support.

Safe Use of Reusable Items

Businesses following proper health and safety protocols can safely use reusable items. Each year in Edmonton, about 91 million single-use cups are thrown in the garbage. There is a huge opportunity to reduce waste by bringing your own reusable cup!

Be sure to wash your reusable mugs and containers between uses, and visit the business information page to learn more about what businesses can do to ensure reusable items are used safely.

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.