April 4, 2022
Today, City Council took decisive action to help the City progress towards its waste reduction and diversion goals, and to help combat climate change.
Two motions were unanimously approved:
- A motion to approve Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items (SUI) and develop a related bylaw. The bylaw will go to public hearing later this year and would be in effect one year after its approval.
- A motion to approve a business case for mandatory food scraps and recycling collection for multi-unit properties, such as apartments and condominiums. The business case requires that disposal containers for food scraps, recycling and garbage are located close to each other, and specifies that the City and its contractors will continue to provide collection service. Food scraps collection from these properties could begin as early as 2023.
With the motions approved, Administration will begin planning to implement these initiatives, which will help reduce litter and improve environmental performance. For example, Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items targets a 10 per cent reduction in SUI per capita within two years of bylaw enforcement, and a 20 per cent reduction in SUI per capita within four years.
“These two initiatives represent important milestones in the City’s waste reduction journey,” said Jodi Goebel, Director, Waste Strategy. “Residents will be asked to take more responsibility by sorting food scraps and recyclables, and looking for opportunities to replace single-use items with reusables. In return, the City will provide tools and support, and make sure separated food scraps are processed into energy and compost.”
Edmonton’s Plan to Reduce Single-use Items includes the following regulatory actions:
- Banning single-use plastic shopping bags and imposing a minimum fee on paper shopping bags and new reusable shopping bags;
- Banning foam cups and containers;
- Requiring restaurants to serve dine-in beverage orders in reusable cups and accept reusable customer cups for dine-in and takeout orders (excluding drive-through);
- Providing accessories, like utensils, straws, pre-packaged condiments and napkins, by request only.
Mandatory recycling and food scraps collection for multi-unit residences will build on the success of the Edmonton Cart Rollout—success that was made possible through the active participation of residents. Multi-unit property owners, managers and residents will be supported throughout implementation and beyond to help meet program requirements at each site.
