To combat the growing issue of plastic waste, Calgary implements a bylaw charging fees for single-use bags, aiming to encourage citizens to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.
Environmental news: In a significant move towards reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices, the city of Calgary has introduced a new bylaw targeting single-use plastics. Set to come into effect in 2024, the bylaw mandates fees for reusable and paper bags at grocery stores, with the intention of encouraging citizens to bring their own bags when shopping. This progressive step follows the city’s single-use plastics reduction strategy released last year, which aims to decrease the overall amount of waste generated within Calgary.
The new bylaw was passed during a recent Calgary City Council meeting after hours of discussion and debate. Although four out of the fourteen council members opposed the measure, the final vote was 10-4 in favor of the bylaw. While the bylaw does not explicitly ban single-use plastics due to existing federal regulations, it is expected to have a positive impact on reducing waste in the city. According to city data, approximately 3.5 million plastic shopping bags, 6.4 million plastic utensils, 2.4 million takeout containers, and 2.4 million disposable cups are discarded in residential and commercial waste bins every week.
Speaking to Canadian broadcaster CBC, Calgary City Councillor Kourtney Penner welcomed the move.
“The more touchpoints that we all have as consumers and thinking about our habits and thinking about what we intake into our own homes, the more conscientious we’re going to be overall.” Penner added, “So having something we all participate in gives us a better fighting chance of reducing our waste.”
Under the new regulations, Calgarians will be required to pay a minimum of 15 cents for paper bags or $1 for reusable bags at checkout counters unless they bring their own bags. In 2025, these fees will increase to 25 cents for paper bags and $2 for reusable ones. The bylaw also includes strategies for addressing single-use plastic straws, stir sticks, and utensils. Encouragingly, 87% of Calgarians have already expressed support for bringing their own shopping bags to grocery stores.
Calgary’s move towards reducing single-use plastics follows similar initiatives launched in other cities. In 2022, the City of Toronto introduced its ReduceWasteTO program, dubbed “Reducing Single-Use.” This program marked the first stage of the city’s “Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy.” As part of the initiative, Toronto provides businesses with examples of how they can eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use and takeaway items. The city also recognizes and showcases businesses that have made efforts to reduce waste from these items, as well as service providers offering innovative solutions or services that help businesses minimize waste.
Calgary’s new bylaw highlights the growing global awareness of the environmental impact of single-use plastics and the importance of reducing waste. By charging fees for disposable bags and promoting the use of reusable alternatives, the city aims to foster a more sustainable mindset among its citizens. As other cities follow suit with similar initiatives, it is evident that a collective effort is underway to combat the negative consequences of plastic waste on our planet.
As with similar laws and bylaws passed in the last few years, Calgary’s single-use plastic measures are a significant step forward in the ongoing battle against plastic waste. By mandating fees for reusable and paper bags at grocery stores and implementing strategies to address other single-use plastics, the city is actively encouraging its citizens to adopt more environmentally friendly habits. As more cities worldwide adopt similar measures, it is clear that the fight against plastic waste is gaining momentum, providing hope for a more sustainable future.
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