Does bottled water contain plastic particles?
New research finds a massive amount of microplastics in bottled water.
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
National event highlights leaders in sustainable fashion
Students for Sustainable Fashion
Updates
Nurdles found in Charleston tidal marsh frequented by migratory birds
Support for the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act is growing
The fourth meeting on the United Nations global plastic treaty happening this week
Featured Resources
Reducing plastic waste in the states
Trash in America
10 steps Whole Foods can immediately take to reduce single-use plastic
Refill, Return, Reimagine: Innovative Solutions to Reduce Wasteful Packaging
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.
When I envision a sustainable fashion future I really see it being a collaborative ecosystem where brands, designers, activists, and leaders are coming together to design new systems (not just new clothes).Amanda Lapham, Co-Founder of Wolven & Creative Designer, California
Amanda Lapham
I hope to see waste in the fashion industry continue to dwindle. Circularity is paramount for Everywhere and for ensuring a sustainable future on this planet.Irys Placida Kornbluth, COO of Everywhere Apparel, California
Irys Placida Kornbluth
I’m really excited about what we can do in Washington because we can move in a direction that’s good for people, good for the environment, and good for the economy all at the same time.Sharlett Mena, Washington State Representative, District 29
Representative Mena
Through calling on companies to change their practices, I hope for an industry that is never inherently unsustainable to shop from.Prissila Moreno, OSPIRG Vice Chair, OSPIRG Waste is out of Fashion campaign coordinator at the University of Oregon
Prissila Moreno
Through community and radical collaboration I believe that we can advocate for a better fashion system that both puts workers at the center and operates within our finite planetary boundaries.Alexa Roccanova, Senior Advocacy Manager with Remake, New York
Alexa Roccanova
The Latest
Type
NEW REPORT: California’s plastic bag regulation isn’t working as intended
State legislators introducing bills to eliminate loophole
NEW REPORT: Analysis finds bag bans effective at reducing plastic waste, litter
Plastic Bag Bans Work, a new report released Thursday by U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group, estimates that, on average, plastic bag bans similar to those studied can eliminate almost 300 single-use plastic bags per person, per year.
Coca-Cola should commit to refillable and reusable bottles
Coca-Cola, the world's biggest plastic polluter, has committed to using refillable bottles. But as of now, not in the U.S.
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.
A look back at what our unique network accomplished in 2023
Here are 10 examples of how our advocates won positive results for the public and the planet in 2023.
Team
Park
Faye
Park
Executive Vice President; President, PIRG
Rakov
Susan
Rakov
Managing Director, Frontier Group; Senior Vice President, The Public Interest Network
Katz
Danny
Katz
Executive Director, CoPIRG
Domenitz
Janet
Domenitz
Executive Director, MASSPIRG
Morgenstein
Mark
Morgenstein
Director of Media Relations, The Public Interest Network