Restrictions on single-use plastic items, plastic bag ban coming to Edmonton in 2023
Edmonton restaurants will not be allowed to serve food in styrofoam containers and plastic shopping bags will be banned starting July 1, 2023.
City councillors gave final approval to the rules Tuesday by approving a new single-use items bylaw with 11 of 13 votes in favour. First reading of the bylaw passed in July.
"The will of the people has been extremely and 100 per cent clear that they want to see environmental action from their governments across the board. And so we are fulfilling that mandate," said Coun. Aaron Paquette who spoke in favour of the bylaw Tuesday.
Plastic utensils and condiment packages will also be restricted unless a customer requests them, and restaurants will have to serve dine-in drinks in reusable cups. Restaurants will also be forced to fill customer-owned to-go cups, but single-use cups and other cardboard packaging will still be allowed.
"This is an exciting first step, but it is only a first step. We have a long way to go as we work on our commitment on the climate emergency," Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said Wednesday.
"Is this the one-stop bylaw for our city? I don't believe it is. Bylaws are drafted and they can be redrafted. And as our community begins to learn, grow and improve their behaviour, we're going to hopefully get to a place where we can start to put more restrictive and binding requirements," added waste services branch manager Denis Jubinville.
The city is working to develop a grant program to help businesses and charities with transition costs, Jubinville said.
Stores will have to charge a $0.15 fee on new paper bags and a $1 fee for reusable bags, rates that will increase in 2024.
The rule changes are no problem for the Italian Centre Shop. It already charges for bags, which its president says saves more than a million plastic items a year. Her stores are also shifting from plastic to biodegradable bags.
"I think that everybody really realizes that this is the way to go, that this is a good thing for everybody, and what’s good for the environment is good for everybody," Teresa Spinelli told CTV News Edmonton.
Violations of the bylaw could amount to fines of at least $500, with penalties doubling for subsequent offences.
Exemptions on styrofoam are built into the bylaw, including for charitable organizations, health-care facilities and the packaging of uncooked meats.
Night clubs, casinos, sports venues, and festivals will still be allowed to use disposable cups and dishes, because the bylaw states requiring reusable items in those scenarios is either unreasonable or a potential safety concern.
Edmontonians discard an estimated 450 million single-use items such as shopping bags, takeout containers, cups, utensils and straws every year, a city report states.
"While it doesn’t have everything that we’ve advocated for, what it is, is a tailored, well thought out and reasonable bylaw. Most importantly we believe it will have a real and substantial impact on the reduction of waste in Edmonton," said Sean Stepchuk with Waste Free Edmonton.
Federal restrictions on single-use items are set to take effect on Dec. 20, 2023, at which time the city's bylaw may be amended to comply.
Councillors Karen Principe and Jennifer Rice voted against the bylaw.
"I have a healthcare background, and I can tell you hepatitis is a very viral virus, and that is a concern of mine," Principe said.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
Correction
A previous version of this story stated that Coun. Sarah Hamilton commented the bylaw would complement the incoming federal legislation. In fact, that argument was by made by a city administration worker.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.