Video: More grocery shoppers bringing their own bags

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SEATTLE - The question at stores used to be "Paper or plastic?" Now, there's another: "Bring a bag today?"

Local grocery stores say they are handing out thousands fewer disposable bags every week. More people are simply bringing their own.

"I have noticed a lot more people bringing their own bags," said Robin Guterson, shopper.

At Town & Country Market on Bainbridge Island, many shoppers are faithful to the store's canvas bags. In a pinch, even a Trader Joe's bag comes in to pinch hit.

KING

More shoppers are bringing their own bags to the grocery store.

"Baskets, bags, I don't care where they come from. It's great that people bring them in," said Sue Transeaux, Town & Country Markets.

Transeaux keeps track of bag usage at the Town & Country stores. The latest numbers from the end of 2007 show customers used 22% fewer plastic bags and more than 20% fewer paper bags compared to a year prior.

"And that's just in this store. The trend has been similar in our other five stores," said Transeaux.

Their numbers just out show customers used 3.5 million fewer plastic bags in 2007 compared to the year before.

"It's the little things you do that add up to significant change," said Mary Justice, shopper.

But change can be difficult, especially when it comes to remembering those bags you left in your car.

"Next time I'll remember because I'll think of you guys and I'll think everybody knows I'm an idiot," laughs one shopper.

In Seattle, you may soon be forced to bring your own bag. Mayor Greg nickels has proposed a 20 cent "green fee" on disposable shopping bags. The City Council is expecting to vote on that in June.