Should Edmonton scrap its single-use item bylaw? Supporters and critics weigh in

The director of a non-profit waste reduction organization in Edmonton said he's not worried about the city getting rid of its single-use items bylaw.

Calgary city council repealed its single-use bylaw on Tuesday. The bylaw, designed to reduce waste going to city landfills, required businesses to charge for single-use bags and only provide single-use items, like straws, upon request. It was passed in January 2023 and came into effect on Jan. 16 of this year, about six months after Edmonton's bylaw.

Sean Stepchuk, who co-founded the non-profit organization Waste Free Edmonton, said he is disappointed by Calgary's decision but thinks Edmonton's bylaw is safe.

"People here have made the changes, they've adapted and there's been no indication from city administration or any councillors that there's a desire to take a step backwards," he told CBC News on Wednesday.

Like Calgary, Edmonton's bylaw instituted a charge for single-use bags and a requirement to request single-use items. It also bans foam containers. 

WATCH | Edmontonians weigh in on recent Calgary cancellation of single-use bylaw:

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tweeted support for the Calgary decision on Tuesday and said she hopes "a few other Alberta municipalities make the same change."

Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said administration consulted the public extensively before the bylaw came into effect and the city will continue to listen to feedback about it.

"As people see the benefits of reducing single-use items, the more supportive they are," he said.

Stepchuk said he thinks the bylaw is working. He said he has noticed fewer overflowing garbage cans outside cafes and fewer single-use items littered throughout the river valley.

Edmontonians surveyed about the bylaw last fall had mixed opinions on it. Nearly 55 per cent of the roughly 8,000 respondents surveyed said it was a reasonable or somewhat reasonable measure to help reduce waste but 45 per cent of respondents said they felt the bylaw was not reasonable.

A majority of business owners the city surveyed said they did not support reducing single-use items.

"They're not against reducing single-use items but they want to be taking the best route for their business," said Mona Pinder, executive director of the Alberta Hospitality Association, which represents hundreds of restaurants across the province.

Pinder said the costs of running a business have gone up and sourcing permitted packaging at a reasonable price has been tough.