BANFF – Banff’s single-use bylaw is showing early success, according to compliance rates.
A report to council indicated compliance for the bylaw in the food service, hospitality and retail sectors has been moving forward since its adoption in 2023.
“I’m so proud of our community and our destination,” said Mayor Corrie DiManno. “I think this is such a shining example of what we can do when we come together under a same set of values and really hold ourselves to a high standard of leadership and try and blaze that trail.
“It’s been a real point of pride whenever I talk to staff – whether it’s folks working the frontline or any of the managers or some of the owners – it truly is a point of pride for people and I think it’s very heartwarming the progress we’re making. It’s very exciting.”
Banff council adopted its single-use bylaw in February, 2023. The intent was to aid with council’s 2018 goal of reducing waste by 70 per cent by 2028 and having zero waste going to landfill by 2050.
Council updated its Zero Waste Action Plan last year, which outlines potential items and tactics to assist with reducing waste in the community.
Though passed in early 2023, the bylaw had a phased-in approach for businesses to be compliant. On July 1, 2023, businesses were required to accept containers and cups for refill as well as only providing straws, single-use cutlery and condiment sachets when customers requested.
On Jan. 1, 2024, a $0.25 minimum fee for paper bags and $2 for reusable bags was added. Plastic bags were banned and reusable foodware was needed for dine-in services.
“I think this initiative, in particular, is one of the better ways we’re tackling one of the top layers of the waste hierarchy where we actually look at stopping waste from happening in the first place rather than excepting the fact we produce it and manage it as best as we can,” said the Town’s environmental coordinator Carla Bitz.
Bitz said in 2023 and the first three months of 2024, Town staff worked on outreach and education. She noted only warnings have been issued rather than fines.
Compliance audits of businesses began last April, with about 80 being completed. It has a Town staffer go into a business, work with them to fill out the required form to show how they’re meeting the bylaw and have discussions on successes and improvement.
If a business is not compliant, she said Town staff will provide an outline of what’s needed and how to do it. A staff report said there’s 15 temporary exemptions for businesses to meet compliance, primarily with businesses who must work with head offices.
Bitz said she’s heard anecdotally the change among visitors has been positive as well as from residents.
A staff report noted several restaurants traditionally with a takeaway model have added seating and reusable dishware, while some hotels and event-based businesses have gone with reusable cups rather than disposable cups.
The report added the retail sector had “widespread compliance with minimum fees on shopping bags”.
“The associated behavioural change happening among residents is too early to say in terms of hard data with the waste reduction, but observationally, we noticed quite a bit more of folks bringing their own bags … which we consider to be a win because the fee is ultimately a financial disincentive for folks to not that new reusable or paper bag,” Bitz said.
The report highlighted some challenges are changing the culture of disposable items having long been the default mode for customers, some people preferring the grab-and-go option of disposable items and the steep learning curve since Banff is one of the first in Alberta to have such a bylaw.
Edmonton has had its bylaw in place since July 1, 2023, while Terrebonne, Que. and Victoria, B.C. also have similar regulations.
Calgary began the process to repeal its single-use bylaw earlier this year only two weeks after it came into effect. Its bylaw had public pushback – particularly for drive-thru service – and from Premier Danielle Smith.
“We’re not really seeing, to our knowledge, the same issues here,” Bitz said.
Banff Borrows is a partnership between the Town, Banff Lake Louise Hospitality Association, Banff Lake Louise Tourism, Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and Muuse that allows visitors and residents to borrow reusable cups for up to 30 days.
All organizations included financial support, with the Town contributing $15,000 in 2024, and there are 12 public and private sector participants.
“Program uptake is steadily increasing each month as partners work through various challenges and improve engagement tactics in collaboration with business participants,” stated the report. “All partners share the goal of creating a model that is replicable in other neighbouring tourism-based communities, many of which have already shown interest in adopting similar reuse initiatives.”
DiManno said a key aspect will continue to be the education and collaboration route “to meet folks where they are and to truly do this together.”
