Just about every store has their own re-usable bag that they sell.  Did you know, though, that some stores will actually PAY YOU to use a re-usable bag?

It's true!  What's more, you don't have to use THAT store's bag in order to get paid!  You can bring in a cloth bag from another store, one you made yourself, one you got at a thrift store.  Literally, ANY cloth bag!

FYI:  My BEST find on cloth bags (and I mean GOOD, REAL cloth bags) has been at the thrift store where they were selling them for a quarter each!  You can also find them at garage sales & on sale at your store.  Look for the REAL cloth bags over the cheaper versions most stores sell.  You can wash the cheaper versions, but ultimately, they won't last as long as real cloth (which pretty much lasts forever).

Here is a list of the stores that will reimburse you in some way for bringing cloth bags:

• CVS:  While CVS has the best reimbursement rate, it does involve a little more than just bringing in a bag.  You have to buy their "bag tag" for $1 (ask at the front if you can't find it).  From then on out, every time you use a cloth bag have them scan the tag (up to 1 scan per transaction).  After 3 scans, you get a $1 ECB.  The 1st 3 scans pay for your bag tag.  Every transaction after that is a money-maker (assuming you already had the cloth bags.)  That equals out to about $.33 per transaction which is actually really good if you typically only leave CVS with 1 bag (like me).  You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Target:  They will pay you $.05 for every cloth bag used in your transaction with no limit.  They scan a bar code that they have taped to their register to give you the credit.  If they haven't scanned it yet, I remind them before I pay.  You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Kroger Stores (Smiths, Kroger, & Dillon's are confirmed participants. Some of the other Kroger chain stores such as Fred Meyer, Tom Thumb, Ralph's, etc. may or may not be participating.):  The listed Kroger chain stores will give you 5 reward points on their reward card for every reusable bag that you use in a transaction with no limit.  They have to scan a bar code at the register (or at the front kiosk for self-scans).  If they haven't scanned it yet, I remind them before I pay.  You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Whole Foods:  Again, you'll get $.05 for every bag you use in a transaction with no limit.  Just as with the others, they'll need to manually input the number of bags that you used so be sure to remind them before you pay. You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Trader Joes: They don't offer a credit per bag, but there is a weekly drawing for a $10 gift card that you can enter if you use cloth bags.  You have to go up to the desk at the front & enter after you've paid.  It's not as good as getting paid every time, but it's better than nothing if you're going to shop there anyway.
  

(Please note, this list is NOT exhaustive.  I'd love you to help me add to my list.  If there's a store in your area that gives a credit or pays you for bringing your own cloth bags, please let me know.)