Edmonton businesses will see an increase in the price of paper and reusable bags starting on Canada Day.
The City of Edmonton confirmed on social media that the price of new paper bags will increase by at least 25 cents starting July 1. The price of new reusable bags is expected to increase to at least $2.
Current pricing, which will last until June 30, is 15 cents for paper bags and $1 for reusable bags.
“The fee will be used to help businesses recover their costs, while the savings will be invested in the environment,” the city said in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
The scheduled rate increase was first announced in January after the city's Public Utilities Commission decided to move forward with single-use item regulations.
When the policy is first introduced in 2023, plastic bags will be banned, but stores will be allowed to offer paper bags for 15 cents or reusable plastic bags for $1. The plan is to increase the fees a year later.
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According to the city, the goal of the ordinance is to reduce single-use items, not to shift from plastic to non-plastic items.
Councillors heard in January there was no hard data to show whether the fee was achieving its intended purpose of reducing litter, but the city said charging for shopping bags was a successful way to reduce litter in cities such as San Francisco, Vancouver, Victoria and Banff.
The city says residents can avoid the fee by bringing their own trash bags or not bringing any. Free reusable trash bags are also available at the city's recycling center at Northwest 68th Avenue and 83rd Street.
The City of Calgary repealed its single-use items bylaw last month following public opposition.
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