People would be encouraged to use alternatives to plastic bags

Council leaders say they want to build on the area's "outstanding" eco-record by cutting the millions of bags used every year in the area.

Although plastic bags would not be banned, retailers and shoppers would be encouraged to use alternatives.

This could mean more paper or reusable bags offered in shops, or distributed.

Across the UK an estimated 10bn plastic bags are used every year - an average of more than 150 per person, according to the council.

The bags account for a fifth of all plastic packaging used in the UK.

If we can support, promote and expand on these measures and work with all the retailers in the city I am sure we will be well on the way to making Newport a plastic bag-free city Councillor Ray Truman

Last month Newport was named as having one of the lowest ecological footprints in Britain by the environmental group WWF.

Research found residents were best at using public transport and reducing energy wastage at home as well as eating more locally-produced food.

If there is enough support for the plastic bag scheme, Newport Council plans to lobby governments in Westminster and Cardiff Bay to push for a ban or levy on plastic bags.

Ray Truman, Newport's cabinet member for community safety and sustainability, said people already had the choice not to use plastic bags.

But he continued: "You can take your reusable bags shopping, specifically not ask for plastic bags at checkouts or take advantage of the bags for life that are on offer in many shops today.

"If we can support, promote and expand on these measures and work with all the retailers in the city, I am sure we will be well on the way to making Newport a plastic bag-free city."

The proposal to make Newport a plastic bag-free city is part of the authority's Pride in Newport campaign, which aims to protect and improve the local environment.

People are being asked to e-mail their views and opinions to rethink.rubbish@newport.gov.uk

Clifford Parish, Operational manager (waste management and cleansing) for Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "The bid to banish plastic bags in Cowbridge is being driven by the Cowbridge Chamber of Trade and the Cowbridge Fair Trade Group.

"It clearly shows a sustainable approach to reducing the amount of waste produced in Cowbridge and contributing to the reduced use of the earth's valuable and limited natural resources."