The consultation is open until 26 October

The consultation launched by London Councils, a lobby group for the city's councils, proposes a 10p levy on all bags, including plastic ones.

Every year Londoners use at least 1.6bn bags, of which only one in 200 are recycled, official figures showed.

The group aims to reduce waste sent to landfill sites.

People are being given seven options which range from taking no action to an outright ban. Options also include a levy or ban on only plastic bags.

Recycling facilities

London Councils Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said: "This is about changing habits. People need to realise that the free plastic bag they pick up in the supermarket is not really free at all - certainly not in its cost to the environment.

"Introducing a levy on plastic bags should help consumers think twice before picking them up in future," he added.

According to figures revealed by the group, even though 45% shoppers claim to have bought a reusable bag only 12% use it regularly.

The group said if a levy is imposed on bags then the revenue generated will go into building additional recycling facilities.

The views from people will go into shaping the 10th London Local Authorities Bill which will be then placed before the Parliament.