What’s the big deal about Single-use Items(SUIs)?
SUIs (such as bags, straws, coffee cups, and take out containers) are used for mere seconds to minutes, but have impacts on our environment that will last forever. Plastic SUIs in particular are a problem, as we produce more than 200 million tonnes of plastic SUIs annually. These items are polluting the land and waterways, killing wildlife, and making their way into our food chain. They also cost taxpayers money.
Bottom line: we need to reduce the number of SUIs ending up in the waste stream, the environment, and on our dinner plate!
Learn more about the impacts of SUIs here.
What is Waste Free Edmonton doing to address this issue?
Since 2018 Waste Free Edmonton has been working with individuals, businesses and government to reduce our reliance on SUIs.
Waste Free Edmonton’s work to address SUIs includes:
1. Presentations to universities, elementary schools, corporate offices, community groups and government officials on the impacts of SUIs and potential solutions.
2. Developing resources that individuals and businesses can use to reduce their reliance on SUIs.
3. A SUIs bylaw campaign calling on Edmonton to take strong action on SUIs, with a SUI petition that was signed by 1000s of Edmontonians.
Our SUI campaign is based on extensive research on the effectiveness of SUPs law in other jurisdictions, which was included in a city report on this issue.
As part of this campaign, Waste Free Edmonton developed a proposed SUI bylaw framework that was presented to City Councillors. You can view Waste Free Edmonton’s presentations to City Council here (February 2019) and here (August 2019).
Our efforts to-date have been effective. After years of advocacy, in July 2023, the City of Edmonton’s Single-use Bylaw came into effect. While the Bylaw does not reflect all of recommendations contained in WFE’s proposed framework, it is nonetheless tailored, well thought out, and reasonable. Most importantly, we believe that it is having a real and substantial impact on the reduction of waste in Edmonton. But the work towards reducing SUI waste in Edmonton is not over.
What can I do to help?
We encourage you to show your support for the SUIs bylaw in Edmonton by sending an email to city councilors asking them to keep and/or expand the Bylaw. This is particularly important as we have seen pushback from a vocal minority in Calgary that lead to a repeal of their bylaw.
You can also help businesses adapt to the Bylaw. If you see a business that is not complying, help educate them on what they could be doing differently, and why. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, then let the City of Edmonton know through 311, and the City will reach out and educate them. Or send us an email letting us know!
If you are interested in getting more involved as a volunteer with Waste Free Edmonton, you can view our current volunteer opportunities here.
You can also sign-up for our mailing list to get updates about our work and ways you can support our efforts by emailing info@wastefree.ca.
Finally, as a grassroots volunteer-run organization we appreciate any financial contributions you are able to make to support our work.
Frequently Asked Questions about a SUPs bylaw in Edmonton
Question 1: What are single-use plastics (SUP)?
SUP are products that are used for mere seconds to minutes but are made out of material that will last forever, such as plastic bags, straws, and coffee cups. Did you know that on average a plastic grocery bag is used for just 4 minutes?
Globally, we produce approximately 200 million tonnes of SUP annually and the number continues to grow!
Question 2: What is the problem with Plastic SUI?
1. They cost you money
Strong action on SUIs will save Edmontonians money. The cost of these one-time use products are often passed on in the form of higher prices for items purchased; we just don’t see the cost itemized on the bill.
SUIs are also costing the City of Edmonton millions of dollars. These costs include waste management and hidden environmental degradation costs. Even when these items are properly disposed of, there is significant waste management costs associated with recycling and landfill. These costs are ultimately passed on to Edmontonians, who are paying increased taxes to clean-up and dispose of these items. For example, the clean-up costs associated with one single-use plastic bag is 20-35 cents.
2. They are bad for the environment
SUIs are environmentally damaging, and are an easily preventable source of litter, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution. 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals – whales, seals and turtles – die from ingestion of, or entanglement in, plastics every year. But it is not just about ocean life; SUIs also wreak havoc right here in Edmonton as they pose a serious threat to riparian environments and wildlife on the prairies.
3. They are bad for our health
Plastic can leach out toxic chemicals that are linked to cancer, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption and other ailments. Even when they are no longer obvious to the naked eye, plastic degrades into tiny microscopic particles that absorb toxins and have been found everywhere. Research shows they are in the air we breath, the water we drink, the food we eat, and throughout our bodies.
4. They waste valuable resources
Plastic SUIs are made from a limited supply of valuable non-renewable petroleum resources. For example, you could drive a mile on 14 plastic bags! It is also estimated that plastics will account for 20% of total oil consumption by 2050.
Question 3: What would an expanded bylaw look like?
Waste Free Edmonton has put forward a proposed SUP framework for Edmonton. The proposed framework is based on extensive research on the effectiveness of laws in other jurisdictions. While the current Bylaw in Edmonton is an excellent start, further action would continue to decrease reliance on SUIs, including fees on take-out cups and containers.
Also, any bylaw needs to be complimented by policies that ensure adequate funding, infrastructure and public education to encourage behavioral change away from single-use items.
Question 4: Isn’t recycling the best and easiest solution to the SUI problem?
The saying goes: “reduce, reuse, recycle”. Recycling should be the last resort.
The reality is that only approximately 9% of plastic is actually recycled. While some plastic SUIs are technically “recyclable,” many are sent to landfill because they are not sorted properly, or are contaminated with food or other substances. Most of the plastic SUIs are not currently recyclable, or there is no market for them. This is unlikely to change in the future, as the market for recycled plastic is drying up. Many Asian countries are now refusing to accept our plastic waste.
Plastic can also only be recycled a few times before it is no longer recyclable. That is why plastic recycling is more accurately described as “downcycling” – it becomes into a lower-grade product (e.g. carpet or park bench), that cannot be recycled and ultimately ends up in the landfill or incinerator.
We cannot recycle our way out of this problem. We need to stop SUI waste at the source by refusing it in the first place!
Question 5: Will a SUI bylaw cost my business more money?
The intent of the SUI bylaw is to effect behavioural change, such that businesses provide and/or customers bring their own reusable items instead of relying on SUI options. Strong action on SUIs, including an expanded Bylaw, will help Edmontonians and businesses transition towards reusable items, which helps us all save money in the long-run.
Research shows that making that switch can actually save businesses money. Restaurants that switch to reusable food service items are estimated to save at least $1,000, even once the cost of washing facilities are included.
Question 6: Can’t we just rely on voluntary measures to address this issue?
Voluntary measures have demonstrated some benefits. Voluntary measures were implemented in Edmonton many years ago, but it demonstrated that we need to move beyond voluntary measures to adequately deal with the growing SUI problem.
Relying on voluntary measures also result in an inconsistent and patchwork approach to SUI that can make things more difficult and confusing for businesses and consumers. Bylaws provide certainty, consistency, and a level playing for everyone.
Question 7: Do SUP laws work?
Hundreds of jurisdictions around the world have implemented SUI laws, that either ban or put a surcharge on SUIs. SUI bans and surcharges have both been proven to be an incredibly effective mechanism to reduce single-use bag consumption (60-90% reduction). In fact, a recent City of Edmonton report concluded: “cities who have advanced restrictions, bans or fees associated with materials such as straws, plastic bags, styrofoam or disposable cups are achieving significant results from these initiatives.”
Some examples of successful SUI laws include:
1. Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
- SUP bags were banned in 2010.
- Impact: In the first year of the ban, millions of plastic bags were diverted from the landfill and approximately 70% of citizens were supportive of the ban.
2. Deux-Montages, Quebec
- All forms of SUP were banned in 2009.
- Impact: In one year, 1.5 million less plastic bags were sent to the landfill.
3. LA County, California
- A ban on thin plastic bag and 10 cent charge for paper was implemented in 2010.
- Impact: 94% reduction in SUP bags and a 10-25% reduction in paper bags.
4. Washington, D.C
- Surcharge of 5 cents for every carryout paper or plastic single-use bag.
- Impact: surcharge contributed about $10 million to a river clean-up fund over a 4-year period and resulted an 85% reduction in SUP bags.
5. Ireland
- In 2002, Ireland introduced a significant tax on plastic bags (now 22-euro cents)
- Impact: 90-95% reduction in plastic bag usage. The tax revenue goes into different programs aimed at environmental protection.
6. England
- In 2015, large shops were required to charge 5p for all SUP bags.
- Impact: SUP bag usage drops 85% and resulted in more than £29m in donations from retailers towards good causes.
7. China
- Banned ultra-thin plastic bags in 2008 and established a policy requiring stores to charge customers for thicker plastic bags.
- Impact: Use of SUP bags dropped by more than two-thirds. In the 5 years since the law was implemented, 67 billion less plastic bags have been consumed.
Question 8: What about the impacts on people with disabilities?
Concerns have been raised about the impact that banning straws would have on people with disabilities. We recognize that some people need straws and that is why the approach we advocated for (and which the City enacted) does not ban straws outright. Rather, it changes the default from providing straws automatically to providing straws on request only.
Question 9: What are the alternatives to using SUI?
The goal of a SUI bylaw is to encourage the transition towards reusable items, wherever possible. Where single-use alternatives are required, it is important that we are not just replace one environmentally harmful product with another. Terms like “bioplastic” or “biodegradable” may sound environmental-friendly, but they can also have significant environmental impacts. Products with those labels are not currently recyclable, nor is there evidence that they degrade faster than plastic.
The best single-use alternative is products that are certified as being commercially compostable. That is why the proposed bylaw specifies that any single-use items be recyclable or compostable in local facilities. However, those items are only better for the environment if they actually make it to the recycling or commercial composting facility instead of the landfill.
Question 10: DOESN’T the federal Single-Use Plastic ban address this issue?
Federal legislation prohibits the manufacture, import and sale of single-use plastic checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware made from or containing problematic plastics, ring carriers, stir sticks, and straws. However, it does not address SUI made of other materials, and does not address other problematic items (such as disposable cups). As well, there is no guarantee that the Courts or future Federal governments will impact this legislation. Strong action on SUIs at the municipal level remains an extremely important part of reducing SUI waste!
Question 11: Are there health or sanitation concerns associated with switching to reusable products?
There is no credible research that shows that reusable products pose health or sanitisation concerns.
Just as with anything else we reuse (clothes, dishes, etc.) it is important to use common sense and basic hygiene when dealing with reusable items. The real health concern we should all be worried about is the toxic microplastics we are all consuming through the air, water, soil and our food thanks to the proliferation of single-use plastics.
It is also worth noting that under the bylaw, the thin film “produce” bags would still be available for transporting items such as meats, fruits and vegetables.
Question 12: What are some of the strategies that can compliment and increase the effectiveness of A SUI bylaw?
There are various strategies to increase the effectiveness of a SUI bylaw; a bylaw alone is not sufficient to address this issue. Complimentary policies include:
- Businesses encouraging customers to “Bring your own container” (cup, bag, bottle, etc.);
- Businesses providing reusable options instead of single-use options;
- Single-use items provided should be recyclable and/or compostable, and sent to a recycling or commercial composting facility;
- Businesses and organizations providing sustainable services including: water refilling, reusable tableware/mugs/bags rental/exchange services etc.
- Training, communications, support, and infrastructure to support reusable behaviours.
