PLASTIC-free supermarket aisles could be introduced in Bury, it has been revealed.

Bury Council is looking at how it can cut down on the amount of waste the borough produces.

Cllr Tom Pickstone introduced a motion at the full council meeting asking councillors to support a vision of a Bury which produced less waste, not because it recycled more but because its citizens consciously chose to buy products with less packaging, supported by businesses who did their bit for the environment.

The motion looks to build on the council's commitment in 2017 to support a deposit return scheme.

Under the Liberal Democrat motion, the council committed to use alternatives to one-use plastics where possible, to educate the public about waste and how to reduce it and to increase its recycling.

Cllr Pickstone, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "It’s almost impossible to go shopping without leaving with what feels like a shed load of plastic packaging and waste.

"I tried and failed miserably and the cheapest products which I normally buy are the ones covered in plastic."

He added: "Retailers have a large role to play. We, as local government have a role, too. To shift the policy and principles less on recycling and more on reducing waste. We have a proud record of recycling and we should take a lead on reducing waste.

"I’d like to get to the stage where we celebrate how little plastic waste we collected because the people of Bury are producing less plastic waste."

The council will also lobby Parliament and the European Parliament to legislate against one-use plastics and to write to the supermarkets in Bury, asking them to consider introducing a plastic free aisle on a trial basis.

The motion was passed and received support from all parties.