Paper or plastic? Maybe there’s a more Earth-friendly choice. Many stores are now selling lowcost reusable bags, often made from recycled materials.

In Chattanooga, reusable bags can be purchased at such stores as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Publix, Home Depot and Bi-Lo.

“It is a growing trend,” said Brenda Reid, spokeswoman for Publix. “We have received such a positive response from customers, we have trouble keeping them on the shelf.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2006, Americans deposited 1 million tons of paper receptacle waste and more than 4.3 million tons of plastic bag waste in landfills.

Landfills are a source of methane gas, which results from anaerobic digestion of materials such as paper, experts say.

“Reducing waste/reusing materials conserves natural resources, saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” said Roxanne Smith, spokeswoman for the EPA.

According to chicobag.com, which sells woven nylon sacks, the number of plastic bags consumed annually in the United States could circle the Earth 760 times.

Plastic bags are not biodegradable. Rather, they break into small pieces that contaminate waterways and are often mistaken by sea turtles and other wildlife as jellyfish and consumed.

In addition to finding reusable bags at grocery stores, environmentally aware shoppers can purchase stylish receptacles on Web sites such as envirosax.com, ecobags.com and reusablebags.com.

Greenlife Grocery offers several options in paper or plastic alternatives, including Chico bags and African woven baskets.

“I have seen people shopping with (the baskets),” said Blaire Newhard, a dietician and marketer for Greenlife. Wal-Mart estimates that using a reusable bag over a five-year period can save each consumer at least 100 plastic bags.

To reduce waste, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Ms. Smith said, “The EPA encourages everyone to reduce the use of materials where possible, reuse materials as many times as you can, recycle materials that you can no longer use and only dispose of materials if no reuse or recycling options are available.”