AURORA, Colo. -- You could end up paying 12 cents for every plastic bag you use at the grocery store, if you shop in Aurora.

A city committee was meeting Wednesday to discuss a proposal based on a defeated draft Colorado State Senate bill that proposed the fee for every plastic bag distributed by a retailer.

According to city estimates, the 12-cent fee could bring in $2.6 million in revenue during the first year of operation, the Aurora Sentinel reported.

Aurora Finance Director John Gross said that because such a levy would qualify as a fee instead of a tax, it could be implemented through a city ordinance, which would not require approval by the voters.

The newspaper said that city leaders cited the pollution created by discarded plastic bags -- estimated at 3,000 pounds -- as a reason for imposing the fee.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually.

Aurora's Management and Finance Committee will vote on whether to send the proposal to the full Aurora City Council for consideration.