TOP retail chains have taken part in a pilot program that aims to help customers "think outside the box" in a bid to reduce waste.
Kroger, Target, CVS Health, and Dollar General are included in the list of retailers participating in the model.
The reusable bag scheme will be introduced in three states in connection with the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag.
For three years, the Consortium has run its Beyond the Bag initiative, which encourages retailers to "think outside the box" in its approach to reducing waste, notably, single-use plastics.
CVS, Target, and Walmart are all founding partners of the Consortium, which is managed by Closed Loop Partners.
Retailers such as Kroger and Dollar General are lead partners.
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The theory behind the initiative is to "harness the power of collaboration to reimagine the retail bag, exploring reuse systems, bagless solutions and innovative materials for a less wasteful future," according to the program's website.
The new reusable bag pilots were announced \Wednesday and will be launched in over 150 stores in Colorado, Arizona, and New Jersey.
The first scheme is the "Bring Your Own Bag Pilot," which will encourage shoppers to use and purchase reusable bags in the hope that it becomes a "norm wherever customers shop."
Kroger, CVS, Target, Dollar General, and other participating stores will take part in this pilot until July 30 across Denver, Arizona, and Tucson.
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The program will use ideas from the consortium's "Playbook" including prompting customers to use reusable bags, increased signage, and dedicated marketing.
Sheryl Burke, senior vice president of corporate social-responsibility at CVS Health said: "With everyone's drive, dedication and collaboration, we will continue making a lasting impact on creating a healthier world today and for future generations."
From May 1 to July 31, there will be the 'Returnable Bag Pilot,' which will see CVS and Target stores in New Jersey allow customers to buy a bag for $1 and return it at a later date for the money back.
These returned bags are then washed and put back out into the store for other shoppers to use again.
Amanda Nusz, senior vice president of corporate responsibility at Walmart said: "Through our collective efforts, these pilots will offer valuable insights for enhancing circular capabilities and providing accessible alternatives to the single-use plastic bag for all."
In 2018, Kroger vowed to axe all plastic bags from its stores by 2025.
The retailer managed to phase out plastic bags at all of its QFC stores by April 2019 and made a sizeable donation to The Nature Conservancy.
Kroger vowed to donate $1 for every reusable bag sold in stores that month, which led to a donation of $10,000.
Meanwhile, both Walmart and Target now charge customers for plastic bags.
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Target made the recent announcement that it would automatically charge for plastic bags at Drive Up and Order Pickup orders which left shoppers fuming.
The drive to end plastic shopping bags comes after Kroger stated in a press release that 100billion single-use plastic bags are thrown away in the US every year.
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