The City of Austin spent about $40,000 last year on bottled water.

City Council Member Lee Leffingwell wants that number to come down dramatically this year -- not because of the money involved, but because of the plastic that ends up in landfills.

Leffingwell is pushing a resolution that would ban the use of city money to buy plastic water bottles for use in Austin City Hall.

"It'll be a strong symbol to send to the community that we're trying to set the example, that we can get along without plastic water bottles, and they need to do the same," he said.

The city now pays for water and other drinks council members, visitors and city employees use -- mainly during executive or work sessions. The council has already gotten rid of plastic water bottles they were using during the public portion of meetings in favor of pitchers of water for each council member.

"We feel like it's a small thing to do to use our own city-produced water -- use a glass or pitcher -- instead of using a plastic water bottle," Leffingwell said.

The resolution would only involve plastic bottles bought by the city for use in city hall. It would give the city manager 120 days to come up with ways to cut down on water bottle use in the rest of the city.

Plastic water bottles would still be for sale in city hall vending machines.

Council members will consider the resolution Thursday.