Beyond plastic

America's plastic problem has gotten way out of hand.

Most of us diligently recycle, take reusable bags with us when we shop, and look for new ways to stop using so much single use plastic “stuff”. Our individual actions are necessary, but won’t be enough. The good news is that the momentum to move beyond plastic is growing. More states, communities and businesses are getting rid of plastic bags, foam containers and other plastic “stuff” we can live without. 

The Latest on Beyond plastic
Updates
What You Can Do
Featured Resources

Did you know?
In 2015, Americans landfilled or incinerated over 50 million tons of compostable waste. That is enough to fill a line of fully-loaded 18-wheelers, stretching from New York City to Los Angeles ten times.

What We're Doing

Increasing compost can quickly and efficiently decrease methane emissions in landfills and restore soil health.

Learn more

I hope to see the fashion industry slow down, metaphorically and physically. By creating spaces which honor clothing for the blessing it is and by fostering an ethos of appreciation for garments rather than perpetuating the relentless pursuit of ever-changing fashion cycles, we can potentially see a significant disinvestment from fast fashion producers. Lenaya-Aiden Gonzales, President of the Sustainable Fashion Club, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo
My hope is to give students the tools and knowledge to make a change in the fashion industry. I hope to see more education and thought put into all resources along the supply chain, with elimination of waste and toxins, and farming practices that work in harmony with nature. Tanya Knannlein, Instructor in the School of Apparel Design & Development at Seattle Central College, Washington
A small step that you can do that will make a big difference is to not buy luxuries from fast fashion companies. Because when that expense is brought down, if you're not paying for that labor, the company is not--no one is--and the people are being exploited [for their labor]. Helena Stark, Fiber Artist, California
As a previous avid buyer of fast fashion, I’m horrified by the environmental damage that the industry has caused. Amelia Fiore, Media Coordinator for OSPIRG at the University of Oregon
Fast fashion not only produces countless waste during its production, but has slowly cut down on the amount of sustainable clothing available to buy. Ravi Cullop, Student at the University of Oregon

The Latest
Type
Voices for Sustainable Fashion

Beyond plastic

Voices for Sustainable Fashion

This collection showcases the stories of people who are committed to making the fashion industry better for people and for the environment.

Show More

Team
Faye
Park

Faye
Park

Executive Vice President; President, PIRG

Susan
Rakov

Susan
Rakov

Managing Director, Frontier Group; Senior Vice President, The Public Interest Network

Mark
Morgenstein
Mark Morgenstein

Mark
Morgenstein

Director of Media Relations, The Public Interest Network