A single-use plastics bylaw: Will we see it in Airdrie?

Airdrie City officials have said that there are no current plans to implement a single-use plastics bylaw to follow suit with The City of Calgary. 

According to officials, Airdrie does not currently regulate waste management for the industrial, commercial or institutional sectors.

"It is up to the businesses to comply with any federal regulations that apply to them. The city continues to bring awareness to waste diversion and reuse through education campaigns, presentations, tours and participation in community events."

Earlier this week, The City of Calgary enacted the bylaw which, applies to, 'any businesses providing new paper or reusable shopping bags and/or footwear accessories to customers including grocery or convenience stores, retail stores, fast food, restaurants, cafes, bars and coffee shops.' 

The bylaw also encompasses vendors at festivals, special events and markets. 

Shopping Bags

Customers will have to bring their reusable bags when shopping and if they opt for bags in the store, they will be charged a fee for new paper and reusable shopping bags. Shopping bags will be provided by request only. 

The minimum fee stores must charge for new reusable bags will be $1 in 2024, with a fee increase next year to $2. The new paper shopping bags will be 15 cents in 2024, which will increase to a minimum of 25 cents in 2025. Businesses, however, can choose to charge more than the minimum fees and the shopping bag rules.

The bag fees apply to drive-thrus as well as online orders. 

Foodware

"Foodware accessories can only be provided by request whether dining in, taking out or ordering food online," The City of Calgary stated. 

This includes, among other things, utensils, straws, stir sticks, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, toothpicks, napkins, as well as pre-packaged condiments

Customers will have to ask staff for foodware accessories or select from a self-serve area, or staff can ask the customer if they require foodware accessories. Only the accessories requested can be provided. Single-use utensils will still be available in self-serve areas. 

Federal law and City bylaw

The City of Calgary also clarified that while the Federal Court issued a ruling overturning the federal government’s Ministerial Order designating all plastic manufactured items to be “toxic substances”, the City’s bylaw is not affected.

The City of Calgary has gone ahead by a bylaw tightening the rules for single-use plastic items, clarifying how the bylaw differs from federal law. (Graphic Credit to The City of Calgary) 

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