Takeout bag fees won’t address bulk of waste going to landfills

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Based on Calgary’s new bylaw, a single-use merchandise is one thing “designed for use solely as soon as earlier than being thrown away.” How becoming, then, that the bylaw itself would possibly quickly meet that definition.

Barely per week after coming into pressure, we discovered {that a} group of metropolis councillors was manoeuvring to repeal or considerably alter the single-use gadgets bylaw. This can certainly come as encouraging information to the Calgarians who’re understandably annoyed with these new rules and necessities. If solely such frequent sense had reared its head a lot sooner, we might have prevented this mess altogether.

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The bylaw, which got here into impact Jan. 16, is ostensibly to cut back waste from these single-use gadgets. There’s a mandated onus shift, forcing clients to request such gadgets as napkins, cutlery, or condiments. The larger supply of controversy, although, is the mandated bag charges. Companies should cost $0.15 for a paper bag or $1 for a reusable fabric bag. As of subsequent 12 months, these charges will rise to $0.25 and $2 respectively. All of that is backed up by fines of $250 for violators (though enforcement comes with some apparent challenges).

And what’s the level of all of this? The town claims that fewer single-use gadgets getting used means fewer such gadgets going to waste. Thoughts you, it’s by no means clear the extent to which such gadgets symbolize the quantity of waste in Calgary annually. Provided that the meals gadgets that will in any other case be bagged nonetheless are available in their very own wrappers and packaging, it’s additionally not clear how a lot waste will truly be eradicated. Moreover, the federal plastics ban already covers single-use gadgets made from plastic.

Moreover, although, provided that paper baggage will be recycled and used napkins will be composted, it might be argued that the town already has insurance policies and mechanisms in place to maintain such gadgets out of Calgary landfills. So, at finest, these efforts appear redundant. The price and inconvenience being imposed on Calgarians and Calgary companies doesn’t appear value it from that perspective. Imposing what’s primarily a bag tax (income that the enterprise retains, thoughts you) looks like a slap within the face approaching the heels of the lately accredited 7.8-per-cent property tax enhance.

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None of that is to say that the town of Calgary doesn’t have waste administration points, however it’s merely not credible to assert that napkins, paper straws, and ketchup packets are the supply of these issues.

Calgarians would possibly recall the $330,000 that was spent just a few years in the past on storing 2,000 tonnes of plastic clamshells solely to have all of that find yourself in a landfill. Whereas these clamshells are as soon as once more permitted within the blue bins, it’s comprehensible that many Calgarians can be irritated on the suggestion that their desire for a paper bag to convey dinner dwelling to the household is what’s truly the issue right here.

Based on the town’s personal knowledge, general waste numbers should not trending in the correct path. Whereas the annual quantity of black cart waste is down considerably from 10 years in the past, the quantity of waste getting into landfills has been rising steadily over the previous six years — from 438,000 tonnes in 2018 to 653,000 tonnes in 2022. Moreover, blue cart volumes are additionally down from 10 years in the past.

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That every one speaks to a a lot larger downside that this single-item bylaw doesn’t tackle. The $200,000 being spent to persuade Calgarians to embrace this bylaw can be a lot better spent elevating consciousness round — and accessibility to — recycling and composting.

We’ll see whether or not there’s sufficient help on council to revisit this resolution as there have been clearly sufficient votes to get this bylaw handed within the first place. However for many who voted ‘sure,’ there’s no disgrace in admitting that possibly this wasn’t the most effective concept. Higher to alter course now than a 12 months or two down the highway. There’s an election subsequent 12 months, in any case.

“Afternoons with Rob Breakenridge” airs weekdays 12:30-3 p.m. on QR Calgary

rob.breakenridge@corusent.com

X: @RobBreakenridge

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