Plastic Bag Ban

The City of Wetaskiwin recognizes the detrimental effects of single-use plastic bags on the environment as well as the aesthetics of the community, and implemented a single-use plastic bag ban in July of 2019 to reduce the presence of plastic bags entering the waste stream and the environment.

Did You Know? We were the second community in Alberta to ban single-use plastic bags! Read the press release.

Retail establishments are prohibited from selling or distributing single-use plastic checkout bags thinner than 2.0 mils thick (some exceptions apply). This ban applies to any location where goods are offered for sale, including grocery stores, retail stores, farmers’ markets, fast food or restaurants.

If you are unsure if your business is affected by the plastic bag ban, please call 780.361.4400.

Exceptions to the plastic bag ban

  • Exceptions include:
    • plastic produce bags
    • plastic bags to contain fresh meat or fish products
    • plastic bags used to contain bulk food items or bulk hardware items
    • plastic bags used to contain freshly prepared bakery items or other food items
    • plastic bags used for wrapping flowers or potted plants
    • dry-cleaning bags or other professional laundering bags
    • plastic bags used to contain dirty, greasy, or hazardous products or materials

Stores may charge a minimum of $0.15 per single use paper checkout bag. Fast food restaurants, food delivery, sit-down restaurants, and mobile catering businesses will be exempt from the $0.15 charge

The Plastic Checkout Bag Bylaw can be read or downloaded here. 

In June of 2018, a report that was submitted to Wetaskiwin city council which summarized single-use bag bans and fees across multiple jurisdictions. The report is available here. 

Contact

If you have any questions or comments regarding the single-use plastic bag ban, email the City or phone 780.361.4409.

Are you a local retail establishment?

Download the business kit here. The Kit provides a summary of Plastic Checkout Bag Bylaw, key messages for customers, and a reusable bag cheat sheet.