ELDERLY people say a plastic bag charge should be introduced to create a litter-free environment for future generations.
The Gloucestershire branch of the National Pensioners Convention says a 5p or 10p charge could be enough to put people off carriers.
The group also says enforcing a tax on shops which use bags would raise money for the Government.
Their stance comes as Cheltenham Borough Council steps up moves to reduce the number of bags being used in the town.Branch vice-chairman Michael Stevens said: "The same people go into the same shops every week and a lot of them never even think about taking their own bags in.
"A five or 10p tax on the bag, with 50 per cent given to charity, like they do in Wales, would go a long way towards solving the problem.
"If the Welsh Government can do it, there is no reason we should not and could not do the same."
Mr Stevens was among those who voted in favour of the policy at the National Pensioners Convention western region forum at the Municipal Offices on Tuesday.
Environment
The principality brought in the new rules on October 1 last year, with all single-use carriers now costing 5p.
Cheltenham Borough Council wants to reduce the number of bags being used, but does not have the power to bring in such a charge.
However environment chiefs are preparing to launch a drive against the bags in schools, in the hope youngsters will influence their parents.
The initiative will see youngsters taking part in a competition to get their design on a bag for life, which will be offered for sale across the area.
Cabinet member for sustainability Councillor Roger Whyborn (LD, Up Hatherley) said: "We cannot introduce it as a council, but I personally would like to see the principle of what the pensioners' forum is saying introduced by our Government.
"In the meantime, if individual shops want to start charging to discourage bag use and help the environment, I would welcome that as well."
Mr Whyborn said a 5p charge would deter the "vast majority" of people from using bags.
Marks and Spencer has a nationwide policy of charging 5p for food shopping bags, but clothes shopping bags are still free.
Plastic bags take hundreds of years to biodegrade, are harmful to animals and are blamed for creating litter on the streets.
Scientists have identified a massive litter pond, made up of mainly plastic bags, covering hundreds of square miles in the Pacific Ocean.
So far, the UK Government has avoided a mandatory plastic bag charge and favours voluntary action by retailers.
But in September last year David Cameron warned supermarkets that they could be subject to a ban or a legally-enforced charge. The only place in the UK that has outlawed bags is Modbury in Devon.
