Omar Khalid
Plastic grocery bags are a common source of pollution, with Calgarians discarding over 870,000 kg of plastic bags annually. To combat this, Calgary has implemented various initiatives, including the Single-Use Items Bylaw, which has since been repealed, and the Bag-in-Bag Campaign, encouraging residents to bundle their plastic bags for recycling. While paper bags are technically recyclable, they often end up as garbage or litter, and their production and distribution are resource-intensive. This has led to a push for reusable bags, with some businesses charging for new paper or reusable bags to encourage customers to bring their own. So, are plastic grocery bags recyclable in Calgary? The answer is yes, but they must be stretchy, clean, and bundled into a single bag for recycling in the blue cart.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are plastic grocery bags recyclable in Calgary? | Yes, if they are stretchy. |
| How to recycle plastic grocery bags | Bundle all plastic bags into a single plastic bag and tie it closed before recycling. |
| How to prepare plastic bags for recycling | Wash the bags if juices from food have leaked into the bag or if it has been used to carry non-food items. |
| Where to put recycled plastic bags | In the blue cart/bin. |
| Plastic bags that cannot be recycled | Non-stretchy, crinkly, or tearing bags (like a chip bag or cellophane). |
| Plastic items that cannot be recycled | Toys, laundry baskets, and foam packaging. |
| Plastic items that can be recycled | Plastic cups, plastic jugs, bottles, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, plastic protection bags, smaller protection bags, plastic packaging on household items, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Stretchy plastic bags are recyclable
In Calgary, stretchy plastic bags, such as grocery bags, are recyclable. However, it's important to prepare them correctly for recycling. First, ensure that the bags are clean and free of food bacteria, especially if juices from food have leaked into the bag. Then, bundle all the stretchy plastic bags into a single plastic bag and tie it closed with a double knot. Remove stickers and labels from the bags where possible. If you're unsure whether a particular bag is stretchy, it's best to put it in your black cart as garbage.
The City of Calgary provides specific instructions for recycling stretchy plastic bags. By following these instructions, Calgarians can ensure that their plastic bags are properly recycled and do not end up as litter in streets, parks, or the environment, where they can harm wildlife and waterways.
It's worth noting that while plastic bags are recyclable, it's even better to reduce and reuse them. Calgarians are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags when shopping to cut down on single-use items. This helps to conserve valuable landfill space and reduce the environmental impact of producing and disposing of single-use plastics.
The recyclability of stretchy plastic bags extends beyond Calgary. In the United States, for instance, there are thousands of retail stores and drop-off centers that accept plastic film packaging for recycling. Many large retailers have recycling bins where consumers can deposit plastic film packaging. However, it's important to note that not all flexible plastic packaging is accepted, and certain types of plastic film can cause issues in recycling machinery. Therefore, it's crucial to check with local recycling guidelines and look for specific recycling labels on packaging to ensure proper disposal.
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Non-stretchy plastic bags are not recyclable
Plastic bags are a significant contributor to the over 10 million single-use items that Calgarians throw out each week. To reduce the number of plastic bags ending up in landfills, the City of Calgary accepts plastic bags for recycling through its blue cart program. However, not all plastic bags are recyclable.
On the other hand, stretchy plastic bags, such as grocery bags, bread bags, and shopping bags, are recyclable in Calgary. It is important to bundle these bags into a single bag and securely tie it closed before placing it in the blue cart for recycling. Loose plastic bags can get stuck in other recyclables, causing equipment jams at the sorting facility and making it difficult for workers to properly separate them for recycling.
To determine if a plastic bag is stretchy and recyclable, residents can perform a simple test. If the bag stretches when pulled from both ends, it is likely recyclable. Additionally, residents can refer to the City of Calgary's online resources, such as the website or the online search tool, to check if specific items are accepted for recycling.
While the City encourages the recycling of stretchy plastic bags, it is important to prioritize reducing and reusing whenever possible. Calgarians are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags when shopping to minimize the use of single-use plastic bags. By reducing and reusing, there will be even less need to recycle, contributing to a more sustainable future for the city.
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How to prepare bags for recycling
Plastic bags are among the most common sources of marine debris, and they do not biodegrade, so it is important to recycle them properly. In Calgary, if a plastic bag stretches, it is recyclable; if it does not stretch, is crinkly, or tears, it is not recyclable.
- Hang a bag off a hook or door handle and fill it with plastic bags as you finish using them.
- Once full, remove anything inside the bags, such as receipts, stickers, crumbs, or residue. These items will contaminate your bag load.
- Tie the bag closed by tying the handles together twice or knotting the bag at the top. Do not use elastics or twist ties.
- Bring your bundled bag to a participating retail store with a recycling bin.
It is important to note that most recycling facilities are designed to handle plastic bottles and containers, not plastic bags. Plastic bags often get stuck in recycling equipment and cause machinery to shut down. Therefore, it is crucial to bundle your bags into one bag to allow workers at the sorting facility to pull them out for recycling.
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Single-use plastics prohibited by the Canadian government
Plastic grocery bags are recyclable in Calgary, but only if they are stretchy. If the bag stretches, it can be recycled; if it does not stretch, is crinkly, or tears, it is not recyclable. To recycle plastic bags, they must be bundled into a single plastic bag and tied closed before being placed in the blue cart.
In Calgary, the City Single-Use Items Bylaw has been repealed, meaning businesses can now use plastic bags, cutlery, and straws. However, the Government of Canada's Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations still apply. These regulations prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of single-use plastic checkout bags, cutlery, food service ware made from or containing problematic plastics, ring carriers, stir sticks, and straws. The goal is to reduce plastic waste and pollution, protect the environment, and meet the target of zero plastic waste by 2030.
The Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations were first proposed in October 2020, when the Government of Canada recognized the need to reduce plastic pollution, which was harming wildlife and generating microplastics in drinking water. A discussion paper was published, and the public was invited to provide feedback. The proposed regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in December 2021, followed by a consultation period. On June 22, 2022, the final regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
The regulations apply to all businesses operating in Canada or exporting to Canada, removing any unfair advantages within the domestic market. While some industry stakeholders argued that banning certain single-use plastics would negatively impact international trade, the government has stated that it will continue to respect its international trade commitments. The regulations do not affect all single-use plastics but target specific items that are often not recycled and have viable alternative options.
To support the transition, the government has provided guidance for selecting alternatives to single-use plastics. Businesses are encouraged to consult local recycling and composting facilities to ensure that any replacement products can be properly managed at the end of their life cycle. Reusable shopping bags and bins are now commonly used by customers in Canada, with a 2021 survey finding that 96% of Canadian households use their own bags or containers while grocery shopping.
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Calgary's Single-Use Items Bylaw repealed
On May 7, 2024, the Calgary City Council voted to repeal the Single-Use Items Bylaw, which aimed to reduce the amount of single-use waste in the city. The vote was 12-3 in favour of repealing the bylaw, which had faced significant public pushback since its implementation in January 2023.
The Single-Use Items Bylaw required businesses to charge a fee for single-use and reusable bags, with a minimum of 15 cents for paper bags and $1 for reusable bags. It also required businesses to only provide single-use utensils, cutlery, napkins, and condiments by customer request. However, the bylaw did not require businesses to charge for foodware accessories like cups, lids, and pre-packaged condiments.
The repeal of the bylaw means that businesses are no longer required to collect a fee from customers for any single-use or reusable bags. It is important to note that the repeal does not impact the Government of Canada's Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, which still apply to businesses' use of plastic shopping bags, cutlery, and straws.
While the City's Single-Use Items Bylaw is no longer in effect, some businesses may choose to voluntarily continue with waste reduction practices. They can still choose to charge a fee for new paper shopping bags or reusable bags to encourage customers to bring their own bags. Additionally, businesses may apply a fee for foodware accessories as part of their operations.
To reduce single-use waste, Calgarians are encouraged to bring their own bags and choose reusable items whenever possible. Recycling and composting are also good options, but reducing waste at the source is the most effective way to lessen the burden on the environment and preserve landfill space.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic grocery bags are recyclable in Calgary.
You can recycle plastic grocery bags by bundling them into a single plastic bag and tying it closed before placing it in your blue cart.
Bundling plastic bags into a single bag allows workers at the sorting facility to properly pull them out for recycling. Loose plastic bags can get stuck in other recyclables, causing equipment jams and increasing processing time, costs, and resources.
Yes, instead of recycling, you can choose to reuse plastic grocery bags or switch to reusable bags to reduce single-use waste.
Not all plastic bags are recyclable. Plastic bags that do not stretch, are crinkly, or tear easily, such as chip bags or cellophane, cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in the garbage.
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