Registered charities, organizations and facilities that do not require a business licence (hospitals, long-term care facilities and schools) and businesses that cannot comply for safety or feasibility reasons are exempt from the Single-use Item Reduction Bylaw.
Registered charities must still comply with the parts of the bylaw that overlap with Canada’s Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations:
- Single-use plastic shopping bags cannot be distributed
- Styrofoam plates, cups, bowls and containers cannot be used
What We Heard Report
In early 2024, Waste Services engaged affected Edmonton charities to solicit feedback on their compliance challenges. Learn more about What We Heard.
Charities Toolkit
Use these tools to help make sense of the bylaw, apply it to your organization and inform your patrons.
Best Practices for Charities: Apply waste reduction best practices recommended by local charities.
Best Practices for Event Organizers: Helpful advice for reducing waste and complying with the bylaw at small and large events.
Bring Your Own Bags sign: Poster for charities that does not include bag fee.
Donate a Bag sign: Post this sign to show people where they can donate reusable bags at your charity.
Take a Bag, Leave a Bag sign: Learn more about “take a bag/leave a bag” stations.
Skip the Bag, Skip the Fee
The purpose of the fee for paper and new reusable bags is to encourage customers to bring their own bags.
- Set up a bag donation station in your facility
- Pick up a few free reusable bags at the Reuse Centre or for your organization in bulk at any Goodwill location in Edmonton
- Set up a “take a bag/leave a bag” station near the front of your facility
- If your clients use grocery pickup or delivery services, call the grocery store and ask about lower-waste options that may help clients reduce waste and avoid fees:
- Option to refuse bags
- Option to use repurposed boxes from the store
- Option to request the fewest bags possible
Reusable Bag Donations
Does your organization need reusable bag donations? Add your organization to a list of recipients for reusable bags and other reusable items.
Other Types of Businesses That are Currently Exempt
Some types of business licences are currently exempt from certain bylaw requirements for safety or feasibility reasons, but may be required to comply in the future.
- Administration Office/Professional Service
- After Hours Dance Club
- Amusement Establishment
- Auction
- Bingo/Casino
- Carnival/Amusement Park
- Commercial Schools
- Exhibition Hall
- Financial Service
- General Industrial
- Participant Recreation
- Personal Service
- Retail Sales (major)
- Retail Sales (minor)
- Spectator Entertainment
- After Hours Dance Club
- Amusement Establishment
- Bingo/Casino
- Carnival/Amusement Park
- Exhibition Hall
- Spectator Entertainment
Businesses With Food Handlers Permits
Some restaurants hold food handling permits that require single-use cups. These permits must be posted in a visible location.