Winnipeg isn't ready to get rid of plastic bags. A city committee has decided that instead of a ban, it's going to focus on public awareness.

The committee heard from the Canadian Plastics Industry Association.  They say other cities that have banned grocery bags have actually seen plastic production go up, because people are buying plastic bags and not reusing them.

That explanation doesn't satisfy Justin Swandel, the city councillor who presented the idea.

"How much more awareness do we need to do?" he said. "How do we stop these things from littering our city?"

The government is working with industry on a plan to reduce the amount of plastic bags going into landfills. Last year Leaf Rapids became one of the first communities in the world to ban plastic grocery bags.