Voluntary measures to reduce your business waste.

Single-Use Items Bylaw Voluntary measures

The City’s Single-use Item Reduction Strategy focuses on reducing single-use items, made from all types of materials, not just plastics. Our strategy emphasizes preventing and reducing waste and promoting reusables. That’s why The City’s strategy includes both bylaws and voluntary programs to encourage waste reduction.

Food serviceware

Encouraging businesses to:

  • Use reusable serviceware for dine-in.
  • Adopt a reusable take-out container program.
  • Use locally recyclable or compostable take-out containers.

Reusable cups

Encouraging businesses to:

  • Use reusable cups for dine-in and accept customer-provided cups.
  • Adopt reusable cup share program.
  • Use locally recyclable or compostable single-use cups.

Contact us

If you have questions regarding the bylaw or the repeal, fill out the online service request below or contact 311.

Submit a 311 request

What your business can do

  • Encourage customers to bring in a reusable beverage cup.
  • Provide reusable cups and containers for dining in. 
  • Consider participating in a reusable cup or container sharing program. Earthware reusable takeout containers can be returned to participating bottle depots for a cash refund. More information.
  • Train your staff to ask customers if they’d like to package their leftovers themselves in their own reusable container. If using single-use containers, pack into leftovers into as few containers as possible, rather than packaging items separately.
  • Replace single-use containers or cups with alternatives that are acceptable in Calgary’s residential recycling and composting programs.

Additional Resources

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