Zane Whobrey, biochemistry junior, bags groceries Tuesday evening in Xcetra, located in the bottom of Walker tower. Xcetera has started a new program using green bags to be more ecologically friendly. Students who use the green bags will recieve credit toward free merchandise. Marcin Rutkowski/The Daily

Campus convenience store Xcetera is giving students incentives to use reusable bags when they shop.

Shoppers receive stamps each time they use their “Crimson and Green” reusable bags at Xcetera. When shoppers receive 10 stamps on the cards, Xcetera rewards them with a free fountain drink and enters them in an end-of-semester drawing for free prizes.

Students who consistently bring their reusable bags have a chance to win aluminum canteens, T-shirts and coupons to campus dining locations, Housing and Food Services spokeswoman Lauren Royston said by e-mail.

“While these [reusable] bags were on hand for students to use, as well as available for purchase from Xcetera, we noticed that students were making purchases and using plastic grocery sacks,” Royston said.

Ashley Stewart, University College freshman, said she thinks the new rewards system is beneficial.

“The process right now with getting rewards will help a lot with using the green bags,” Stewart said.

Anna Deshurley, University College freshman, said she thinks more people would use the “Crimson and Green” bags if they understood the environmental impact reusable bags have compared with plastic bags.

“Using paper or plastic sacks consumes resources that could be easily cut out,” said Trey Gaylord, engineering physics sophomore.

When students reuse their own bags, it benefits the store financially because Xcetera does not need to buy as many plastic bags, Gaylord said.

Stewart and Deshurley said they only learned of the program because they saw the stamp cards on the Xcetera counter.

“I think they’re doing a good job keeping the campus green and everything but the recycling efforts and stuff like that aren’t well advertised,” Deshurley said.

Royston said OU’s other green initiatives include Hydration Stations, campus recycling and requests for on-campus restaurant guests to take a straw or lid only if they are leaving the dining area with their drinks.