Holding plastic producers accountable
Wasteful plastic: We didn’t ask for it, and we can’t avoid it. But at PIRG, we have a plan to deal with it.
Corporate responsibility
The Latest on Corporate responsibility
A look back at what our unique network accomplished in 2023
Looking ahead: protecting the climate, nature and consumers in 2024
Updates
Stop The Overuse Of Antibiotics
Panera Bread backs off of no antibiotics policy
Burger King signals intention to move away from PFAS in packaging
Nearly 70% of companies surveyed improved toxic chemical policies
Featured Resources
VR risks for kids and teens
“Certified natural gas” is not a source of clean energy
Why privacy matters – even if you’ve got nothing to hide
10 steps Whole Foods can immediately take to reduce single-use plastic
The Latest
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Senate Commerce to vote to restore FTC power to compensate victims of corporate wrongdoers
Last year, the Supreme Court eliminated the FTC's key authority to disgorge ill-gotten gains from corporate wrongdoers and use the money to compensate their victims. It was an unfortunate decision that benefited a convicted payday lender who fleeced thousands of victims and will allow brand name Big Pharma firms that block lower-cost generic competitors and other wrongdoers to escape billions of dollars in restitution. The Senate Commerce Committee is voting tomorrow on a bill to restore FTC powers. -- Cover graphic of FTC Building via Flickr, by Boston Public Library, Some rights reserved.
Mastercard, Visa and banks all profit from inflation without doing anything
Merchants pay swipe fees to accept credit and debit cards and are forced by card network rules to pass the costs on to all consumers, including cash customers, with higher prices at the store and at the pump. As I told the Senate, the big banks are happy with inflation -- when gas prices double, their percentage-based swipe fee revenue doubles – without the banks making anything or doing anything.” Cover photo: whyframes studio via iStock
Consumer advocacy groups launch campaign to get Columbia Sportswear to phase out toxic ‘forever chemicals’
U.S. PIRG Education Fund and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) launched a campaign on Tuesday calling on outdoor gear and apparel brand Columbia Sportswear to phase out the use of PFAS in its products and supply chains. Last month, the company received low marks in a scorecard report released by the advocacy groups. The report found that Columbia Sportswear has failed to adopt policies that ban PFAS chemicals or provide up-to-date, publicly available information on any ongoing efforts to phase out these toxic chemicals from their products.
Campaign for Columbia Sportswear Commitment to Eliminate PFAS Launched Today
Today U.S. PIRG Education Fund and NRDC launched a campaign to urge Columbia Sportswear to eliminate toxic PFAS in their products and supply chain by 2024. The campaign will engage everyday consumers through a petition drive and mobilize the public impacted by PFAS contamination.
Consumer Groups Commend GM Commitment To Ensure Used Cars It Sells On New Platform Are Free from Unrepaired Safety Recall Defects
Coalition: U.S. PIRG, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, the Center for Auto Safety and the Consumer Federation of America - safety groups that are usually at odds with auto manufacturers - today publicly commended General Motors for the auto giant’s recently announced commitment not to sell used vehicles with unrepaired safety recall defects on its soon-to-be-launched used car platform, CarBravo. Too many car dealers sell dangerous recalled used vehicles.