Take Pride Winnipeg and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association say a proposed ban on plastic grocery bags in Winnipeg won't work. In fact, they say it could be even worse for the environment.

The two groups have gone before a sub-committee at Winnipeg City Hall to convince councillors to reject the idea.

City Hall has been debating the issue for months - but hasn't embraced the idea yet.

It's estimated Manitobans take home more than 200-million plastic grocery bags every year.

However, Take Pride Winnipeg said it doesn't see a problem. It coordinates clean-ups around the city every year and plastic bags aren't a big litter problem.

"This is about our responsibility as individuals for the products we use and how we dispose of them," said Tom Ethans of Take Pride Winnipeg. "Litter audits show that plastic shopping bags are not a serious problem in Winnipeg."

Instead of a bag ban, Take Pride and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association want the city to set up an education program to encourage reducing, re-using and recycling plastic bags.

Currently about 70 per cent of retailers have depots set up for recycling, including Sobeys.

"Over the past year, I've seen an increase from zero to 35 to 40 per cent in terms of recycling," said manager Trisha Chikousky.

Another environmental group, Resource Conservation Manitoba, said an all-out ban may not be the answer. It said plastic bags are still one of the most sanitary options for carrying items like fresh meat. And the group fears banning the bags may defeat its own purpose in the end.

Ireland bag-ban a bust

"There are unintended consequences to bans," said Cathy Circo. "In Ireland, they found when they put a ban on the amount of plastic consumed in Ireland increased by 21 per cent."

Irish consumers purchased off the shelf-plastic or garbage bags, which are twice as thick and not as easily recyclable.

Manitoba retailers are now offering depots to recycle plastic bags and give a 3-cent credit on a grocery bill for people bringing in and using their own plastic bags.

Leaf Rapids in northern Manitoba was the first community in North American to ban plastic bags.

The local government there bought reusable bags and gave them out free to every household. The mayor of Leaf Rapids has said the ban is working well.

San Francisco also has a plastic bag ban.

Manitoba Liquor Control Commission has now stopped using plastic bags entirely, in favour of paper bags.

With a full report by CTV's Eleanor Coopsammy.