tullysfishmarket
At some Canadian McDonald's drive-thrus, a paper to-go bag costs 15 cents. The new fee, introduced in Edmonton, Alberta in July, has confused customers.
tullysfishmarket
It's part of a green regulation on all food establishments that bans single-use plastics and charges for paper bags.
tullysfishmarket
"Just hand me my food," one Edmonton TikToker fumed. One commenter asked, "It's already paper!" It's not plastic."
tullysfishmarket
What next? Will we be charged for our drinks' cups? How come? another commented. One Canadian city has gone that far.
tullysfishmarket
Vancouver began implementing a 2020 ordinance that banned single-use plastic bags and taxed paper disposables like bags and cups last year.
tullysfishmarket
McDonald's customers had to pay 15 cents for paper bags and 25 cents for cups. However, the bag fee remains.
tullysfishmarket
While some Canadians blamed McDonald's, the bag tax is local law. The restaurant receives the money instead of the city. The fee helps small businesses buy paper bags, which are more expensive than banned plastic, and pass on waste costs to customers.
tullysfishmarket
The policy is meant to encourage more eco-friendly packaging, but it's understandable to be annoyed, especially at McDonald's, which has long used paper bags and has no sustainable alternative. Canadians must decide whether to pay or get creative.
tullysfishmarket
tullysfishmarket