Plastic bags are an environmental nightmare.  90 billion are made every year.  Since they don't break down over time, they clog landfills.   So now more and now more retailers are rewarding customers for being green. 

Beginning yesterday, Target, the nation’s fifth largest retailer, officially launched a reusable bag discount program.  Target will offer shoppers a nickel for every reusable bag they fill.  When Target tested the program it saw a 50 percent surge in customers who brought their own bags.

Also this month drug store giant CVS began its own environmentally friendly program to save bags.  Customers pay 99 cents for a "green bag tag."   The cashier scans the tag along with their CVS card every time they refuse a plastic bag.   On every fourth scan - cardholders get a dollar off their next purchase.

These programs launched by Target and CVS  follow moves made by smaller chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.  They've been offering re-usable bag incentives for a while.