SEATTLE -- Voters in Seattle will decide next month whether to enact an ordinance passed by the City Council that charges shoppers 20 cents for every disposable bag from a supermarket.

The Seattle Times reported the ordinance passed by the city council last year aimed at changing customer behavior and reduce waste.

The fee's goal was to encourage people to reuse grocery bags or use a non-disposable tote.

But opposition quickly grew and enough signatures were gathered to take the issue to the Aug. 18 ballot.

Opponents said the ordinance is misguided and would force people to use bags worse for the environment.

Seattle Green Bag Campaign spokesman Rob Gala said that people understand that using disposable products is economically inefficient.

A recent poll showed lagging support for the ordinance. The fee would include paper and plastic, making Seattle the first city in the country to target both types of bags.