No fee for disposable cups eyed by Edmonton in waste reduction plan to curb single-use items, plastic bags

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Customers who forget their reusable cup shouldn't be charged for a paper one, according to Edmonton's updated strategy to curb single-used items like paper cups and plastic bags.
Customers who forget their reusable cup shouldn’t be charged for a paper one, according to Edmonton’s updated strategy to curb single-used items like paper cups and plastic bags. Photo by FILE

Keeping plastic and paper single-use items out of Edmonton landfills shouldn’t include fees for disposable cups, city staff say.

The 25-cent charge for disposable cups previously part of Edmonton’s plans to curb waste has been scrapped according to two new city reports released Thursday. Recommendations are part of the city’s efforts to tackle climate change and reduce garbage by 20 per cent in four years by eliminating plastic shopping bags, foam containers, and other non-reusable materials.

But although single-use cups are some of the most littered items in the city, charging consumers who don’t have reusable cups isn’t part of the plan. According to Jodi Goebel, director of the city’s waste strategy team, this is because a fee would impact vulnerable people.

“Edmonton’s approach to reducing cups will initially focus on barriers, such as increasing the accessibility of reusable cups, before considering a fee,” Goebel said in a Thursday news release. “It’s crucial to preserve the environment, but we also must keep people in mind.”

Fees are still being recommended for paper shopping bags along with bans on plastic bags, foam cups and containers. Restaurants will also be required to serve dine-in customers in reusable cups and accept reusable containers from customers for both dine-in and take-out orders, excluding drive-thrus. Other items like utensils, straws, condiments and napkins will only be offered on request.

Supports to help people, businesses and non-profits transition are also included in the city’s plans. These include optional fees for charities, allowing more time to phase-out disposable items, or grants, should council approve these recommendations.

About 450 million single-use items are tossed away in Edmonton every year, according to the city.

Separating waste mandatory

By next year, separating recycling and food scraps could become mandatory for waste collected from apartments, condos, and other communal bins.

The move is meant to provide consistency and help the city monitor its progress in reducing trash.

“In order to achieve the goals of the 25-year waste strategy, the city must take a multi-pronged approach to both reducing and diverting waste. These two initiatives are our next steps to help keep more waste out of the landfill, where it takes up space and generates harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” Goebel said. “While these programs will require residents to take more responsibility for the waste they produce, they will also benefit Edmontonians now and in the future.”

Options for how the city can manage waste are being presented to the utility committee on March 25.

[email protected]

@laurby

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