Reader tip! Cindy writes that Target now credits $.05 for each bag you bring in.
I was at Target over the weekend. We took our own reusable shopping bags as we try to do whenever possible. The cashier informed me that for the month of October they are offering 5 cents off your total bill for every reusable bag filled during your purchase (whether you bring your own bags or buy a reusable while in Target). Not a large amount, but nice idea to bring awareness to reducing use of plastic bags and encouraging reusables. I only purchased a small amount of items and filled two bags so I got 10 cents off.
Most of the chain grocery stores got on this bandwagon months ago and also offer free bag recycling. I hope Target will continue to offer this credit beyond October and that even more retailers will join suit!
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
I’ll have to see, I’ll be there today..
When I was in Fargo in September they had signs up indicating that you would get a 5 cent credit with each reusable bag used. My husband and I left our bags in the car, but chose not to take any plastic bags (we would have used 2) and instead carried our purchases to the car “loose”. I think if they are giving credit it should be for not using a plastic bag, or they should start charging for plastic bags. It is a nice idea to give a credit, but I’m not sure how much of an impact it will have.
I believe Washington State already charges per plastic bag used… or is it Oregon? Anyway, I’m sure it’s on it’s way here, so start using your reusable bags, people! I got mine as a gift, they’re silk and GREAT washables, from olivesmart.com. 6 bags fit in a cylindrical pouch which fits in your cup holder RIGHT NEXT TO YOU so you never forget ’em in the car!!!
My CVS always asks if I want a bag when I make a purchase–which most times I don’t need. I always bring my reusable shopping bags for grocery shopping at Trader Joes–but now I have to deal with the fact that I currently have no bags to put my garbage in!
I’m on the East Coast in Rhode Island and of the two leading grocery chains, Stop & Shop and Shaw’s, only S&S offers the 0.5 credit. It annoys me that Shaw’s does not…
I almost always bag my own groceries to lessen the number of plastic bags the baggers want to use…it drives me crazy when they (a) put one item in a bag or (b) put the heavies (milk, juice, tonic) in the same bag. Baggers are clueless. I use a mix of reusable bags and either plastic or sometimes paper bags…I like the paper bags with handles.
One of my favorite take-out places started using cloth totes screened with an insurance agent’s information. Not the most attractive, but very clever!
Over a few months, I collected a few that I now take with me whenever I go to the grocery store/Target/etc. And it made me feel less bad about spending money on takeout, since stores usually sell similar totes for ~$3.