Steps to get my Neighborhood to Ban Plastic or go Green?

[Paradoxically Retro]

So I like in a very diverse neighborhood in Queens, NY. I decided that if the state was going to take forever to do a lot of things, it would be nice to begin the initiative to ban plastic bags in our neighborhood or all of Queens. I realize how hard this will be, opposition from business owners, consumers, etc, but its been done in many cities and several European countries charges for bags for I want to go ahead with it.

Please give me tips and an idea of how to begin this whole thing. Do I start a petition from the neighborhood or a certain amount of people, do I take the idea straight to a local representative?
Should I try a little easier endeavor like Going Green, meaning more active recycling (promoting) and receptacles in the area?

Thanks in advance!!