Bringing a reusable bag to the grocery store is good for the planet. But it's bad for you.

Reusable grocery bags for sale at Whole Foods

(Image credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

published 14 July 2015

Bringing a reusable shopping bag to the grocery store is a great way to be environmentally friendly. But there may be one unexpected downside.

A new study found that shoppers who bring reusable bags to the grocery store may feel so good about their duty to the environment that they reward themselves — often with the purchase of junk food. Shoppers who bring their own bags are 7 percent more likely to buy junk food than those who don't.