Two of the nation’s largest retailers recently kicked off cash saving incentive programs designed to encourage consumers to use recycle bags. Both Target and CVS founded programs they hope will have their customers thinking twice about using plastic sacks or disposable bags.

CVS is offering its CVS ExtraCare rewards program members a higher discount if they bring recycle bags when shopping at their stores. Members of the program can purchase a 99-cent tag to receive their discount. The leaf-shaped “Green Bag Tag” comes with a clip to attach it to their recycle bags. Then, as the customer is checking out, the tag is scanned. Once a customer has made four shopping trips they earn a $1 coupon that is printed on the receipt of their fourth transaction. The program began in November.

Earlier in the year, Target started a separate pilot program in 100 of its stores. Whenever a customer uses their recycle bags, they receive a 5-cent discount at the register. The company reported a 58 percent decrease in plastic bag use at the stores that hosted the pilot program. In November, Target launched the incentive program nationwide. Currently more than 1,700 stores offer the 5-cent discount.

Both programs relate to recent legislation in Florida and California that seeks to ban the use of plastic and paper bags at retail stores. As the Green Movement continues to gain momentum, experts predict the use of recycle bags in lieu of plastic disposable bags will increase across the nation. In recent years, the general population has become more consciousness of plastic and its long-term effect on the planet. Overall, plastic recycling has made a steady increase. However, only about 27 percent of all recyclables are estimated to be plastic. The banning of plastic disposable bags is considered a more effective way of cutting down on the use of plastic.