Whole Food Market Inc. will gradually phase out the use of plastic grocery bags in its 270 stores with the goal of no longer using them by April 22, which is Earth Day.

The Austin, Texas-based grocery chain, which has four Triangle locations, said it will encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags and will offer 100 percent recycled paper grocery bags when needed.

“More and more cities and countries are beginning to place serious restrictions on single-use plastic shopping bags since they don’t break down in our landfills, can harm nature by clogging waterways and endangering wildlife, and litter our roadsides,” A.C.

Gallo, co-president and chief operating officer for Whole Foods Market, said in a statement