Knock, knock. Who’s there? PIRG!

This summer, PIRG canvassers are knocking on tens of thousands of doors across the country to build public support for the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act– a federal bill that would prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other ‘pre-production plastics’ by companies who make, use or transport them. 

Plastic pellets, the most common type of pre-production microplastic, are something the average person never sees, but they are used to make the ubiquitous plastic products that surround us– everything from single-use plastic bags to kid’s toys to car bumpers. 

These pellets are tiny and light weight and are lost at every stage within the global plastic supply chain. It is estimated that 10 trillion plastic pellets enter our oceans each year. Once in the water, they act like sponges that both absorb harmful chemicals, like DDT and mercury, as well as release toxic additives. Plastic pellets look like fish or tadpole eggs and so fish, turtles, and birds mistakenly eat them. Once they eat the pellets, any absorbed chemicals can travel up through the food chain where they can bioaccumulate. 

There have been numerous lawsuits brought against plastic pellet polluters- many of them successful. However, we need a nationwide solution that prevents this pollution from happening in the first place. The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act is that common-sense solution. 

Our canvassers have been busy raising awareness of the issue of plastic pellet pollution in communities from Boston to Portland by speaking with community members, writing letters to the editor, taking photo petitions, making phone calls, talking with legislators and more.

What are our canvassers hearing when they tell people about the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act? Overwhelming support.  Everyone agrees that companies should not be spilling or dumping plastic pellets into the environment. This bipartisan bill currently has nine senators and 78 members of the House signed on as co-sponsors, and growing. 

If you haven’t had a chance to sign our petition to show your support, please sign your name.