AUSTIN, Texas, April 23 (UPI) -- Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:WFMI) marked Earth Day Tuesday by ending the use of disposable plastic grocery bags at its U.S., Canadian and British stores.

A.C. Gallo, co-president and chief operating officer for the natural foods supermarket chain, said the move will keep keep 100 million new plastic grocery bags out of the environment the rest of this year alone.

"Central to Whole Foods Market's core values is caring for our communities and the environment, and this includes adopting wise environmental practices," Gallo said in a statement earlier this year.

The company will continue to offer recycled paper grocery bags to shoppers who choose not to bring their own reusable bags to the store.