The minimum fees are:

• New paper shopping bags - minimum fee of $0.15 in 2024 and increasing to $0.25 in 2024.
• New reusable shopping bags - minimum fee of $1 in 2024 and increasing to $2 in 2025.

This applies to in-store, take-out, drive-thru and delivery orders. Avoid the fee for new paper and reusable bags by bringing your own bag or tote when you shop. Fees from bags will be kept by the business to help offset purchasing new paper and reusable bags.

The minimum fees do not apply to bags used to:

• package bulk items such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, candy, or dry goods.
• package loose bulk items such as hardware or fasteners.
• protect bakery goods that are not prepackaged.
• protect items from becoming dirty or unusable (e.g., newspaper bag, dry cleaning, flowers).
• package prescription drugs from a pharmacy.
• contain or wrap meat, poultry, fish, or frozen foods.
• wrap flowers or potted plants.

No taxes are being collected by The City of Calgary on this. Bag fees will be kept by the business to help offset the costs of the new paper and reusable bags. We are encouraging businesses to use these fees to help support other waste reduction initiatives at their business i.e. reusable cups, plates, cutlery, and take-out container exchange programs.

While developing the bylaw, The City heard from businesses that to meet the requirements of Calgary’s Single-use Items Bylaw and lessen the burden of the Government of Canada Single-use Plastics Regulations, it would be important for business to retain the bag fee to offset the cost of transitioning from cheap single-use plastic bags to the more expensive paper and reusable bags. 

Under the Single-use Items Bylaw, mandatory fees are required only for new paper and reusable bags that customers choose to take. Foodware accessories like pre-packaged condiments, takeout boxes, coffee cups, etc. are not subject to mandatory charges under the bylaw. However, businesses can choose to charge customers for any products and services they provide, but it is inaccurate to say that it is a fee under the new bylaw if it does not pertain to bags.

Yes. The new paper bag fee is also applicable during drive-thru orders.

Paper bags can be recycled but are often not. Most bags end up as garbage or litter in our communities. They also require enormous resources to manufacture and distribute. Remember that reduction is the most effective method of preventing waste and often the more cost-effective option in the long term.

• Avoid the minimum charge for a bag by bringing your own bag to put your food in once it is handed to you. Keep a small basket or reusable bag in your vehicle or better yet, an insulated lunch bag which will help keep your food warm during your drive.
• Request a paper bag when you place your order and pay the minimum charge.

You can keep using pet waste bags. Pet waste bag are not in either the federal single-use plastic ban or The City’s single-use items bylaw. The federal regulations are aimed at single-use shopping and retail bags.

Remember, here in Calgary, we ask that pet waste be in a certified compostable pet waste bag before depositing into the green cart.

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.

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.
  

Take reusable shopping bags, even damaged ones, to any City landfill for free textile recycling. Our Throw 'N' Go bins accept a variety of textiles or contact local charities for other recycling options.

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

The use and availability of single-use items such as flexible plastic straws are often relied upon by individuals with diverse abilities.

These flexible plastic straws will continue to be provided to those that they require them. If you do not require one as an accessibility tool, please be kind and do not ask for one.

It is important that people with disabilities or medical needs continue to have access to single-use plastic flexible straws. Retail stores (e.g., grocery stores, pharmacies and online retailers) will be able sell single-use plastic flexible straws in a package of 20 or more to a customer upon request.

If you need a plastic straw, buy a package and remember to bring one when you dine out.