Takeout prices will spike after Edmonton bylaw kicks in, packaging wholesaler predicts
CBC
Edmonton businesses are swapping out plastic shopping bags and food containers made of polystyrene foam for more sustainable options before a new city bylaw comes into effect in less than two weeks.
The bylaw, which aims to reduce waste and comes into effect on July 1, bans single-use plastic shopping bags and foam food containers.
Businesses must charge at least 15 cents for a paper shopping bag and at least $1 for a reusable one.
Restaurants must serve dine-in customers beverages in reusable cups and have a policy for accepting customers' reusable cups.
Some organizations, including charities and hospitals, won't have to follow the new rules, but they apply to most organizations with a business licence or permits for large city events.
Brian Blacklock, president of the wholesaler Pegasus Paper, said Edmontonians should expect a dramatic increase in takeout prices because of the new bylaw. He said his clients often talk about how much more expensive sustainable packaging costs.
"The packaging for your takeout food is about 20 per cent of the cost of your meal, and if that 20 per cent doubles in price, somebody's got to pay for it," he said.
He said some restaurants might stop offering takeout as a result.
Garneau's La Poutine restaurant, on 109th Street, started charging for paper bags and giving customers wooden forks this week. The restaurant has also been testing different sustainable takeout containers before July 1.
Though paper bags will cost co-owner Lindsey Robbins about 15 times more than plastic ones, she said she doesn't view the changes as a burden to her business.
"We all need to start thinking about making greener choices, whatever that is," she said.
Robbins said many customers are forgoing paper bags, realizing they don't need them.
Roderick Almonte of the Filipino restaurant Karinderya, in Mill Woods, has also already started charging customers 15 cents for paper bags.
He said most customers are aware of the changing rules.
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