Reusable bag cost set to increase on July 1 in Edmonton

It took some time to adjust, but Edmontonians say after one year of the City’s single-use item bylaw, they are now comfortable with it. But if people forget their bags, are they comfortable with the prices set to increase on July 1st?

“You know it’s just as easy once you get into the habit,” said one Edmontonian CityNews spoke to.

Since being introduced, the city claims that 73 per cent of shoppers are now using reusable bags when hitting the grocery stores.

But for those who forget those bags in the closet or at the front door, they can expect a bit of an increase in paper and reusable bags. On July 1st paper bags will cost 25 cents to buy while reusable bags will now cost $2 a piece.

According to City officials, they’re hoping the increase in cost will be avoided by consumers. The goal is for people to avoid the fee, not pay it.

“Research has shown when you increase fees it helps people with behaviour changes. So we anticipate that that will have a positive impact on people’s decisions,” said Denis Jubinville, the branch manager of waste services for Edmonton.

But, some Edmontonians say it’s still only a short-term solution, and that the reusable bags will eventually need to go to the landfill.

“They’re still made out of plastic so they have a limited lifetime. What happens to them after you have to toss them out because the bottom falls out of them.”