Green Ideas

Saving a few cents on your grocery bill might not be incentive enough to switch to reusable bags, but getting charged extra for plastic could be. Aldi grocery stores charge 5 cents for a paper bag, 10 cents for plastic. Local governments are tacking on fees, too. On Jan. 1, Washington, D.C., began charging shoppers 5 cents for every plastic bag used at a grocery or liquor store.

• CVS: Purchase a CVS 99-cent Green Bag Tag and swipe it each time you bring your own bag or decline a store bag at checkout. Four visits earn you a $1 store coupon, printed on your receipt.
• Giant: Save 5 cents per bag.
• Kroger: Save 4 cents per bag.
• Shop Rite: Save 2 cents per bag when you reuse one of the store’s paper or plastic bags, or 5 cents per bag when you use a non-disposable tote (does not have to be a store tote).
• Target: Save 5 cents per reusable bag.
• Whole Foods: Save 5 or 10 cents per bag, depending on the individual store’s policy