What Calgarians need to know about single-use items

Single-use items include items such as shopping bags, utensils, straws and napkins that are made of plastic, wood, bamboo, cardboard or any other material.

Each week, millions of single-use items end up in Calgary’s garbage. Many of these items are used briefly as a convenience but take much longer to break down as waste. Reducing unnecessary single-use items helps:

Lower the amount of waste sent to the landfill
Reduce litter in streets, parks, and waterways
Save resources and energy used to make disposable products

The best way to reduce single-use items is to stop using them whenever possible or to choose reusable options. There is no City of Calgary bylaw requiring residents or businesses to reduce single‑use items, but many Calgarians and businesses choose to reduce them as part of everyday waste reduction best practices.

What you can do

We’ve grown used to the convenience of everyday single‑use items — things that are used once and then thrown away. Recycling and composting are important when waste is unavoidable, but the biggest impact comes from reducing waste before it’s created.

Choose to refuse single-use items

Say “no thanks” to single-use items (plastic or otherwise)
Ask for items such as utensils, straws, pre-packaged condiments, napkins as needed when dining in, taking out or ordering food online.
Ask for bags as needed.

Choose reusables where you can

Bring your own reusable bag or tote to avoid the fees and reduce waste.
Use reusable utensils, straws, etc. instead.

Did you know?

Paper bags can be recycled, but are often not. Most end up as garbage or litter in our communities. They also require enormous resources to manufacture and distribute.

Remember that "reduce" and "reuse" come first and cutting back on using materials means even less that needs to be recycled.

Tips for Calgarians

New habits take time. Before you know it, bringing your own bags and other reusables will become part of your daily routine. We applaud all Calgarians efforts – big and small – to reduce single use items.

Do Build a routine

Choose reusable bags and other single-use items that you’ll use that are easy to clean and are easy to store.
Create habits. Keep your bags in a convenient place so you don’t forget to take them into the store with you. Store them by the door, by your keys, in your car or in your purse or backpack – wherever they will be easy to grab.
Remind yourself. Set a reminder in your phone or put a sticky note on the door. Another handy cue is put “bring reusable bags” as the first item on your shopping list.

Do Reusable bag tips

Skip the bag whenever practical if you forget your reusable one.
Keep only the number of bags that you use on a regular basis. Clear out the bags you don’t need by donating them for reuse.
Mend your bags when they get holes or when the seams start to come undone.
Make your own reusable bag from old bedroom sheets or tee shirts if you sew.
Use smaller reusable bags for produce.
For grocery or food delivery, indicate “no bags” on your order and provide instructions to deposit the order in the boxes, totes or bags you have set out.

Cleaning your reusable bags

Machine-wash your cloth bags frequently, especially after using them to carry fresh produce, meat, poultry, and seafood.
Hand-wash reusable grocery bags inside out with hot soapy water if they aren't machine-washable.
Dry your grocery bags after washing.
Wash your bags, if juices from food have leaked into the bag or if it has been used to carry non-food items. See Health Canada's guidelines for keeping bags clean and free of food bacteria.

Frequently asked questions

Why do stores charge for shopping bags?

Some businesses may choose to voluntarily apply a fee for new paper shopping bags or reusable bags to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags.

Why am I being charged for other foodware accessories?

Businesses may apply a fee to foodware accessories (such as pre-packaged condiments, takeout boxes, coffee cups, etc.) as part of their business operations.

I thought the federal plastics ban was overturned?

No. The federal plastic ban is still in effect.

In November 2023, a Federal Court decision temporarily overturned the federal government’s designation of plastic manufactured items under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), which led to confusion about the status of the Single‑Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations.

However, on January 30, 2026, the Federal Court of Appeal overturned that decision, confirming the federal government’s authority to regulate single‑use plastics. As a result, the Single‑Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations remain fully in effect across Canada. Businesses that manufacture, import, sell, supply, or use the regulated single‑use plastic items must continue to comply. No changes are required due to the court decision.

Will stores be able to use plastic bags again?

Businesses will not be able to use plastic bags, cutlery or straws as those items still fall under the Government of Canada’s Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations.

The regulations ban the manufacture of plastic shopping bags, plastic straws, stir sticks, utensils, foam cups, and other types of plastics that are difficult to recycle.

What can I use for a garbage bin liner?

Instead of buying plastic garbage bin liners, you can reuse other soft plastic packaging such as toilet paper overwrap, pet food bags, dry cleaning bags, bread bags, produce bags, product packaging bags, etc.

What do I do with all my reusable bags as I have too many?

Contact local charities to find out what type of reusable shopping bags are accepted. Many organizations will accept reusable shopping bags regardless of condition, the bags that cannot be reused are recycled through the textiles recycling process.

Use the Textile Donation locator to find hundreds of drop-off sites or donation bin locations in Calgary.
You can also take reusable shopping bags to Calgary Drop-In Centre, Women in Need Society, or Goodwill Alberta.
Participate in Walmart's national reusable bag recycling program - see details.

Can I recycle reusable shopping bags?

Take reusable shopping bags, even damaged ones, to any City Eco Centre for free textile recycling. Our clothing bins accept a variety of textiles or contact local charities for other recycling options.

If you bring other garbage in your load, charges will apply.