PITTSFIELD, MA. -- "I use plastic or those green recyclable bags for smaller amounts," said grocery shopper Lisa Loehr.

Choosing between paper or plastic is a simple decision, but the answer may soon cost you. If the Massachusetts Legislature gives the going-green light, shoppers will be taxed two cents at the checkout counter for each plastic bag they use. But if you give that idea a green thumbs down, there's an alternative.

"I would say that the green bags are the way to go because they're definitely sturdy, you can get a lot of stuff in them, and you're helping the environment out," said Stop & Shop manager Brenda Frye.

You're also helping your wallet. That two-cent tax would rise all the way to 15 cents per bag over the next seven years. That has some shoppers feeling more blue than green. Some want to get rid of plastic altogether.

"I would be for an all out ban. I know other places are thinking about it because it's a huge problem," said grocery shopper Erin Pollard.

Each year Americans use about 380 billion plastic bags -- most of which end up as litter or in a landfill. That's why some some say go green or go home.

"I think it's great. I think the tax should be there. I think everybody should be using [recyclable bags]. It's not very difficult," said grocery shopper Rita Toombs.

It may not be difficult, but not everybody has caught on to the concept.

"It seems more older people and single people are using the recyclable bags. People with kids...you know, if you're in a rush and you've got a full cart, I think it's sometimes harder for them to put it together," said Pollard.

"I see increasingly more people using [recyclable bags], not so much at these bigger stores, but at all-natural stores I see them more," said Toombs.

If that tax goes into effect, using a recyclable bag will also keep more green in your wallet.