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Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration is considering a surcharge on all plastic bags.

One proposal calls for charging five cents for every plastic bag New Yorkers take, every time they shop, whether it's at a boutique or a bodega. Another proposal would allow retailers to buy the bags for five cents and then charge customers six cents for a one-penny profit.

The initiative would be to encourage people to use their own bags, they say, along with raising money for a cash-strapped city. It could raise as much as $16 million.

Some New Yorkers said they were against the idea.

"Definitely not for it, especially with the economy the way it is," said one New Yorker. "Every nickel counts."

Others say, for tidiness at home, and the environment, they support the proposal.

"I'd go for it because I have a lot of shopping bags at home and if I paid five cents for each I wouldn't have that many," said another New Yorker.

Almaz Zelleke says she already carries her own cloth bag for shopping trips.

"I think it's a great idea to discourage plastic shopping bags," said Zelleke. "But, I would hate to see low-income people charged for something that, up to now, has been pretty standard."

Some stores, such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, currently offer discounts and prizes for customers who bring their own bags.

The city hopes the measure, which needs city and state legislation, can be implemented by next summer, and cut down on litter.

Revenue from the fee would offset the costs of collecting and disposing of plastic bags that are not recycled or reused. Right now, city laws require large supermarkets to offer plastic bag recycling for free.