Plastic and paper bags in Champaign retail stores may cost consumers a little more in the near future.

On Tuesday night at the Champaign City Council’s study session, the council voted 6-3 in favor of the recycling department’s proposal for a fee on these bags.

The proposal calls for the creation of either a fee or a ban on single-use plastic and paper bags in retail stores. The city recycling department believes the proposal fits with the council’s 2011-13 goals of promoting recycling.

Members of the recycling department were at the meeting to answer questions regarding the item. According to their report, Champaign residents consume an estimated 26.3 million single-use plastic bags and an estimated 2.6 million paper bags every year.

The city conducted an online survey that showed that most residents who answered favored a fee or ban. Of the respondents, 65 percent voted in favor of either banning the bags or instituting a fee.

Most in attendance were in favor of the recycling department’s plans. The University student organization Students for Environmental Concerns presented its case in favor of a ban or fee.

Emily Cross, member of the organization and junior in LAS, said a great idea from Champaign would be to use any taxes collected from such a move could be used to fund other programs.

The recycling department noted how Washington D.C. instituted a five-cent fee on single-use bags; the use of these bags has dropped by at least 50 percent.

Local business owners also voiced their opinions. Dan Epstein, owner of Champaign Surplus, said the stores only gives customers paper bags. Switching to paper has helped the store save money and hire more people, adding that the removal of plastic bags from stores would be a financial benefit to businesses.

“Being able to reduce bags benefits all of us,” Epstein said.

Cindy Eaglen, who operates Illini Recycling in Urbana, said a ban or fee is not the right move. She said educating people about recycling would be more effective.

Furthermore, she added that such a move may push consumers to shop in other towns instead of Champaign in order to avoid paying another tax. The city of Champaign recently passed a motor fuel tax and is in the process of adopting a stormwater fee.

“I will not be penalized to shop here,” Eaglen said. “But that is what you’re doing (should the fee pass).”

Council member at-large Karen Foster said she would not vote for the fee because she believes businesses should have a right to choose, rather than make it the city’s decision.

“If a business wants to charge you for a bag that is fine,” Foster said. “But it’s not something the city should legislate.”

Council member at-large Tom Bruno said his decision was not quick. Gradually, Bruno said he began to realize the importance of the subject, which ultimately led him to vote in favor of a fee or ban.

“I never thought I would say that,” Bruno said. “But I’ve become educated in the issue.”