DALLAS (April 5, 2006)—Environmental groups estimate that 100 billion plastic bags are used annually in the United States. Once discarded those bags become trash, clog landfills and drainage systems, and cause harm to marine wildlife.

Half Price Books, one of the nation's largest new and used bookstore chains and a dedicated supporter of national literacy projects and environmental issues, is making a commitment to further reduce the use of its recycled plastic bags by urging customers to use fewer bags and to utilize reusable bags whenever they shop.

"The most effective way to reduce the amount of plastic litter in the environment is to reduce consumption. Half Price Books is using this Earth Day to announce its commitment to reduce the amount of bags used in stores by asking each customer if they need a bag rather than automatically handing one out, and by reissuing usable bags that come back into the store," said Kathy Doyle Thomas, executive vice president of Half Price Books.

Additionally, in conjunction with Earth Day on April 22, the company is offering a re-useable canvas tote bag free with any $30 purchase between April 1 and April 30, while supplies last. The large bags can be used in lieu of a plastic bag when shopping.

Since the plastic bag's introduction about 25 years ago, worldwide consumption rates have soared to more than 500,000,000,000 (that's 500 billion) plastic bags annually, or almost one million per minute. In a landfill, plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to degrade, and as they breakdown into tiny bits, they contaminate soil and water. According to reusablebags.com, an estimated 4 billion plastic bags end up as litter each year. Tied end to end that's enough to circle the earth 63 times.

About Half Price Books
Half Price Books is one of the nation's largest new and used bookstore chains with 85 retail locations in 14 states. Stores are open seven days a week and buy and sell new and used books, magazines, comics, records, CDs, DVDs and collectible items. Through the years the company has recycled more than 16 million books, saving more than 650,000 trees. Half Price Books has been dedicated to literacy efforts for more than 30 years, supporting hundreds of projects including The Bedtime Story Book Contest, Reach Out and Read, and the annual Half Pint Library Book Drive. In addition, Half Price Books is a founding contributor to Laura Bush's National Book Festival. For more information about Half Price Books, please visit www.halfpricebooks.com.