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Edmonton’s Single-use Item Reduction Bylaw (20117) will help reduce waste by targeting items that can easily be replaced with reusable options or avoided altogether.
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.
Restaurants must serve dine-in drink orders in reusable cups, and have a written policy for accepting reusable customer cups
Accessories such as utensils, straws, condiment packets and napkins will only be available by request or self-serve.
Several bylaw regulations can save businesses money:
Use these tools to help make sense of the bylaw, apply it to your business and inform your customers.
Use these videos to hear the information in the Bylaw Guide, or turn on captions in the language of your choice.
Video 1: Bylaw Overview
Video 2: Bylaw Requirements
Video 3: Transition Tips
Video 4: Shopping Bags
Video 5: Accessories
Video 6: Foam
Video 7: Cups
Video 8: Sustainable Foodware Guide
Video 9: Going Beyond the Bylaw
Print on 8.5" x 11" paper, cut and fold as directed, or request printed tent cards by emailing singleuse@edmonton.ca.
Cups and accessories
Reusable bags
To-go cup
Cups to stay and to go
Takeout containers
If your business currently uses foam cups, plates or containers, consult the Sustainable Food Service Guide to find a suitable substitute.
Once you’ve determined what type of cups and containers work best for your business, find a supplier.
Registered charities are exempt from this bylaw to ensure their ability to provide critical social services is not limited.
Charities are not exempt from the federal regulations banning the sale of certain single-use plastics, which take effect in December 2023. The earlier effective date for the bylaw means that charities will have six(6) more months to use supplies of materials that will be banned by the federal regulations.
Businesses are encouraged to donate unused plastic bags and foam cups, plates and containers to charities, which can use them until the federal regulations come into effect.
Charities are encouraged to reduce their use of single-use items as much as they can.
Organizations and facilities that do not require a business license are not required to follow the bylaw.
Some examples include:
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.
Businesses following proper health and safety protocols can safely use reusable items.
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.
