One of the province's largest retailers, NB Liquor, has put out a tender for the purchase of 4.4 million biodegradable plastic bags.

The tender, which must include a sample of the proposed bag, closes on Oct. 11.

It's a matter of being environmentally responsible, said spokeswoman Nora Lacey.

"I can only imagine that the cost of having not-degradable bags in the system and around the province would certainly outweigh the cost of having put a little more money into having degradable bags into our system," Lacey said.

The move is part of a trend in New Brunswick to switch to biodegradable bags that become compost after about six months.

Gifts Galore in Moncton has recently made the switch to biodegradable bags.

The bags look the same as the usual plastic bags, said co-owner Steve Clerke, but cost about 20 per cent more for the store to purchase.

But it's worth the price, Clerke said. "Many, many customers have commented on that and we've even had phone calls back from customers and said that they saw that on the bag and that they are proud of us for doing so."