It pays to be 'green' at Altus Published April 14, 2010 By Brian Sonntag Public Affairs representative for AAFES Fort Sill/Altus. ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Base Exchange rewards military shoppers doing their part for the environment through its new "Use a bag, save the planet" initiative. Instead of using traditional plastic bags, the base's BX is encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. Beyond helping the environment, shoppers that "Use a bag, save the planet" will get five cents back for every reusable bag used. "The Army & Air Force Exchange Service desires to be an environmentally responsible retailer and a 'green' place to shop," said the BX Assistant Store Manager Delisa Bridges. "By rewarding the use of environmentally-friendly bags, we hope to begin changing behaviors today to put us on a path for a cleaner tomorrow." The five cent credit applies only to shoppers who bring in and use reusable shopping bags (plastic bags do not apply) at the BX. As such, Airmen who simply decline a plastic bag, but do not utilize a reusable bag, will not qualify for the five cent credit. The AAFES is a joint command and is directed by a board of directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs. To find out more about AAFES' history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp.