With no single-use items bylaw of its own, the Town of Okotoks is watching as similar legislation cause ripples elsewhere in the province.
While planning documents call for the Town to explore a future ban on single-use items and a phase out of non-recyclable containers, there is no timeline for any changes to come into effect.
“We're waiting to see if the Government of Alberta will have any requirements or mandates with regard to a single-use items policy,” said Jinny Toffelmire, the Town's environment and sustainability coordinator.
A single-use items bylaw went into effect in Calgary on Jan. 16 to regulate items like plastic shopping bags, utensils, straws and napkins.
The bylaw was not well received and barely two weeks later, civic politicians voted to start the repeal process.
Calgary's bylaw will remain in effect until the process is finished, and it is expected to be discussed at a public hearing in May, the City said.
Premier Danielle Smith has made it clear that she is no fan of bylaws like the one in Calgary, and the provincial government is investigating whether it has the power to intervene in other instances where similar bylaws are in place.
"We have had to step in when we think that municipalities are going a step too far on certain issues,” Smith said during a press event on Jan. 25.
In Canada, a single-use plastics ban was implemented in 2022, scheduling a phased-out approach for plastic checkout bags, cutlery, stir sticks and straws.
Several large plastic companies launched a lawsuit against the federal government, citing the ban listed certain plastics as toxic.
The Federal Court sided with the companies and the decision is now being appealed.
Whether such actions fall within the realm of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) or not is now up to Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver to determine.
“Calgary City council is moving in the right direction by starting the repeal process for their single-use items bylaw that wrongfully adds costs to consumers and doesn’t effectively manage waste,” McIver said in a statement emailed to Great West Media.
"We continue to look into municipal plastics bylaws and their impact on residents and the business community.”
Alberta Municipalities said in a statement that the MGA is clear that municipalities are responsible for waste management.
Policies about single-use items are “ever evolving” based on decisions made at the provincial or federal levels, Toffelmire said.
“Once we know if any mandated policy on the issue is coming down from the Province, we'll begin to explore if or what type of single-use items direction is best for Okotoks.”
If discussion about a single-use bylaw was to come to Okotoks, the Town would work to consult with residents and businesses early on, she said.
“It is important that a local solution is something that would work for the community and produce the sought after results.”
In the meantime, many local businesses have switched to paper-based compostable products or recyclable containers, Toffelmire said.
-With files from Scott Hayes and Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporters
