The home furnishings retailer Ikea will no longer offer disposable shopping bags at its North American stores.

In March 2007, the company said it would charge 5 cents per bag to discourage the use of disposable bags, with the proceeds going to an environmental charity.

The company with U.S. headquarters in a the Philadelphia suburb said that cut bag use by 92 percent.

"The success of this program clearly demonstrates that like IKEA, our customers care about our global home," said Pernille Spiers-Lopez, president, IKEA North America. "They have let us know, that they're looking at ways to be environmentally responsible in their everyday lives. Plus the huge increase in our reusable blue bag sales, tells us that our bold step to end plastic bag sales has been welcomed by our customers across the nation."

Starting Wednesday, Ikea won't offer any disposable plastic or paper shopping bags. Sturdy, reusable shopping bags will still be available for 59 cents.