AUSTIN, Texas -- Whole Foods Market announced yesterday it will end the use of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts in all of its U.S., Canadian and U.K. locations with by Earth Day, April 22.

“Central to Whole Foods Market’s core values is caring for our communities and the environment, and this includes adopting wise environmental practices,” A.C. Gallo, co-president and COO for Whole Foods Market, said in a press release. “More and more cities and countries are beginning to place serious restrictions on single-use plastic shopping bags…We estimate we will keep 100 million new plastic grocery bags out of our environment between Earth Day and the end of this year alone.”

On Tuesday, Whole Foods gave away more than 50,000 reusable shopping bags to customers at the checkouts. “We hope to inspire shoppers to prompt positive environmental change by adopting the reusable bag mindset,” added Gallo.

Starting yesterday, each Whole Foods store is working to deplete stocks of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts and to raise awareness about the benefits of reusable bags. Over the next three months, stores will reduce plastic grocery bag inventories and increase selections of reusable bags for purchase.

Whole Foods Market has encouraged shoppers to bring their own bags for years by offering a refund of either 5 or 10 cents at checkout, depending on the store. “Before Whole Foods Market decided to do away with this disposable plastic grocery bags at our checkouts, we ran tests in San Francisco, Toronto and Austin. Customers have overwhelmingly supported the plastic bag ban initiated by Whole Foods Market in these cities and applauded the progressive stance the stores have taken,” said Gallo.