It pays to be 'green' at Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Vandenberg Main Exchange is rewarding military shoppers who are doing their part for the environment through its new "Use a Bag, Save the Planet" initiative.

Instead of using traditional plastic bags, retail facilities at Vandenberg are encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. Beyond helping the environment, shoppers that "Use a Bag, Save the Planet" will get five cents back for every reusable bag used.

"The Army and Air Force Exchange Service desires to be an environmentally responsible retailer and a 'green' place to shop," said Ms. Krista Wiester, Vandenberg's AAFES general manager. "By rewarding the use of environmentally-friendly bags we hope to begin changing behaviors today to put us on a path for a cleaner tomorrow."

The five cent credit applies only to shoppers who bring in and use reusable shopping bags (plastic bags do not apply) at the Main Exchange, Service Station and all other retail facilities at Vandenberg. As such, military personnel who simply decline a plastic bag, but do not utilize a reusable bag, will not qualify for the five cent credit.