Update: CVS gets in on giving back cash for bringing in your own bags

Update: Here's more good news on the green front. At CVS, after you buy a Greenbagtag for 99-cents, you attach it to any reusable bag (not just the ones on sale at CVS). Then when you take in your own bags, the tag and your ExtraCare card are scanned and after four visits, you get back $1 in Extra Bucks. Seems small but again, every bit helps.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The folks at Target, who among other things sell a stunning variety of reusable shopping bags and totes, are now offering not-so-subtle incentive for Mommas to use them.

And no, not a "thank you" note for sparing the Earth. We're talking money, folks -- a nickel off your Target tab every time you use a reusable bag for your goods.

Here's the wild part. It's not just Target's own totes that net you the nickel-bag deal. It could be one of those bags from Publix or Michael's or JoAnn's or Sweetbay. (Oh, you know you've got about 30 of them stashed in the trunk of your van.)

Target is getting pretty aggressive about attracting us Mommas for the holiday shopping season -- slashing prices as much as 50 percent on toys like Barbie and G.I. Joe, according to this Reuters report. But this bag deal is one that goes on all year long.

So remember, the next time you're popping in there for Halloween candy (or sneaking in with the kids' Christmas list stashed in your purse), take that reusable bag. It's good for the Earth AND your pocketbook.

--Sherry Robinson

Comments

[Kelly]

Mike - This policy is good at all Targets. :) It's a company wide program that they are offering.

Also, it's for every bag you bring in you save a nickel. So if you bring and pack things in two or three bags, you save ten or fifteen cents. For those who frequent Target, and have several reusable bags it's a great deal. CVS's program, you can't scan your tag more than once a day. So it may take you longer to add that up, plus to earn money you are actually going to have to scan it 8 times first to earn the dollar you spent back on the tag, and then actually earn a dollar extra buck.

[Lucia]

People, before you believe any junk you get in a chain email--and before you forward it to other people--do yourselves a favor and check it out on www.snopes.com first.

[Alli]

Bob sadly believes an old chain email that was sent around a long time ago. Almost every store has had one sent - and most have been proven to be lies. A simple internet check will prove it.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/target.asp

[Rob]

Bob, I didn't know local schools were left-wing organizations.

[Dan Ryback]

Don't rebel at the idea of the 5 cent rebate on re-usable bags. Here in Toronto, all stores MUST charge a nickel for any bag you get from the stores. We are becoming accustomed to bringing our own bags no matter where we shop. This rule goes for all retail outlets - food, clothing, hardware stores, etc.

[BOB]

Wouldn't shop there if they gave 50%. Store won't support veterans. Check out their list of groups they contribute to. Mostly left wing organizations.

[Carl]

Yay! I might save 50 cents a year! I get the whole "save the earth" thing, but a nickel off? that's almost insulting.

[Sasha]

Simply Green Solutions like the incentive that Target offers can instill good, eco-friendly habits for life in consumers everywhere.

[Mike]

Is this the policy at all Targets? Does anyone know.?

[ctb]

Great idea - $$ is the best incentive!

[SharonWynne]

I hate how you end up with about 30 of those plastic bags on a simple trip. I love the publix bags because I can get a weeks worth of groceries in just 4-5 of them. Very roomy

[DonTampa]

Good on Target. Hope more stores get on this bus and significantly reduce the number of plastic bags we throw out.

[Nickle and dimed]

Hey thanks for this tip. These days every nickle counts.