More than 1,600 people urge Yukon to impose fee on single-use bags

A group pushing for a user fee for single-use plastic bags in Yukon presented its petition to the Legislature today.

Zero Waste Yukon says it's collected 1,689 signatures. The petition comes in the midst of a public consultation the government is holding.

"We're very excited that they are consulting on how to implement a fee, so this is another show of support to getting a fee in place," says Ira Webb, Zero Waste Yukon's program co-ordinator.

"It's definitely an issue people feel passionate about."

Yukon stores can charge a voluntary fee of five cents perbag, but the organization says that's not enough.

It points to the N.W.T., where retail bag use has dropped by 70 per cent since a 25-cent fee was imposed in 2011.

Last fall, the Yukon Legislature voted unanimously to work towards eliminating all single-use plastic products, including bags and straws.

The government says it spends about $6 million a year on waste disposal, and about half of that goes toward getting rid of plastics.

The government's consultation process runs until April 26.