Single-use bag, container rules begin in Calgary

The city offers bags, tableware, napkins and more. A new single-use rule for bags went into effect on Jan. 16, meaning Calgarians will pay for bags and request any extras on delivery, drive-through and pick-up orders.

As of Tuesday, businesses will charge a mandatory minimum fee of 15 cents for a new paper bag and a dollar for a reusable bag, and they will be issued only if a customer requests them.

Calgary's single-use waste reduction ordinance was approved by city council last year.

“I think it's ridiculous,” said 13th Ward Councilman Dan McLean, who voted against the law last year.

“I doubt (McDonald's) will start lowering the price of Big Macs when they don't give you a bag.”

Disposable tableware, condiments, napkins and paper straws will also be available on request only under the new rules.

“Let's choose to say no to things like unnecessary shopping bags or extra spice packets and cutlery and make it a habit to bring our own reusable options instead,” said Sharon Howland of Calgary.

“Most importantly, most of them are not recycled. Most of them are not compostable. Often they end up as litter on our streets or in the river.”

Howland adds that the biggest change for consumers will be in the car.

“I see a handful of ketchup, a handful of napkins, some straws and plastic cutlery stuck in there, stuff like that,” he said.

“Under the new law, we're trying to reduce that waste.”

Cluck N Cleaver co-owner Francine Gomez says her business is based on paper bags and takeout containers for customers.

“The intention is there,” he said.

“I think there are a few more issues with the release.”

He said the price is already making up for the additional costs, and now the business can deal with customers who were not affected.

“Would you like to take a bag, take away food is obviously going to be difficult in the conversation,” he said.

“Ultimately it comes down to the business to make sure it works.”

According to the city, more than 10 million single-use items are thrown away every week, most of which end up in landfills or as trash.

“This is something we know retail and restaurant operators, as well as Calgarians, will have to get used to, so there may be a period of frustration for a while,” said John Graham, director of government relations for the Retail Council of Canada. field area.

“Retail stores have been taking inventory of plastic bags (in anticipation of the federal government's plastic ban) late last year, and in some cases have been preparing for the need for or introduction of paper bags. fees and bulk shipping and reusable bag acceptance processes,” Graham said.

Victor Tipper, owner of The Hidden Gem Market in Kensington, says he still can't believe every business doesn't know what's allowed and what's not.

“Basically, we have 90 businesses here,” he said.

“Most of them make products related to plastic and one-time use. So if they've done something, we have to track it now, whether it's approved or not?”

The city says prepackaged products don't count under the law.

The surcharge does not apply to bags used for bulk items such as fruit and vegetables; bags for packaging bulk hardware, non-packaged bakery products, meat, fish and frozen foods; Prescription drugs and bags used to protect things like newspapers, dry cleaning and plants.