Single Use Item Reduction Strategy

The City of St. Albert is excited to launch its Single Use Item Reduction Strategy and looks forward to hearing from our residents and business owners. Feedback provided, through the survey and ideas board, will help the City shape the Single Use Item Reduction Strategy.

What are Single Use Items?

Items that are designed to be used once and then discarded, such as straws, utensils, and to-go cups, are defined as "single use items." Unfortunately, because they are so small and often made of mixed or low quality material, most single use items cannot be recycled and are destined for the landfill. Throughout Canada, single use items are some of the most commonly found objects littering our streets and parks. While small and relatively light, single use items account for approximately five per cent, by weight, of total plastic waste generated in Canada each year. That's a lot when you consider the weight of a straw compared to plastic car parts or appliances!

What are other Cities Doing?

Cities like Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto are all working towards reducing (or eliminating) single use item waste and St. Albert would like to do the same. Within Edmonton, it's estimated that 450 million single use items are thrown in the garbage each year; which amounts to 1.2 million items every day - more than one item per person per day! Reducing your single use doesn't have to be difficult and can be as simple as bringing your own cutlery from home for lunch at work/school to save 200 forks from ending up in the landfill each year.

Share Your Thoughts!

The City is currently in the beginning stages of our Single Use Item Reduction Strategy. We are interested in gathering information on how residents and business owners currently rely on single use items, which specific single use items are used, and the role the City can play to help us all #ReduceOurSingleUse. The City is looking for input from both residents and business owners until May 8, 2022.