I've had several 'green' bags for 8-10 years now, and just recently added 3 more: 2 of them insulated. I get, I think, 2¢ everytime I use them, so the old ones were paid off long ago. I think they were $3 originally. They are sturdy and store easily and they may last me another 10 years.

Also, I shop about every 203 weeks at Trader Joe's and often get their handled paper bags, which CAN be reused if one is careful, and then used to recycle newspapers & cardboard. (Around here, even the plastic bags are recycled, but I hate them for groceries and only use a few for waste can liners.)