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
California takes sweeping action to curb single-use plastic
Colorado becomes third state to approve ‘producer responsibility’ law to reduce packaging waste
Updates
New bill would stop spilling of plastic into waterways
New bill would keep plastics out of national parks
PennEnvironment campaign to ban plastic bags in Pittsburgh gains support
Featured Resources
Reducing plastic waste in the states
Trash in America
Call Script for Whole Foods
Trash in America
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.
The Latest
Type
Announcing 2022 #YouthEarthWeek Award Winners
MAY 27, 2022: Since the 1970s, young people have been at the forefront of the environmental movement. Here are some highlights from the Student PIRGs’ annual Youth Earth Week.
Environmental Action on Earth Day
APRIL 22, 2022: This Earth Day, The Public Interest Network is celebrating 10 years since we welcomed Environmental Action, an original Earth Day organization, into our family.
PIRG outlines 10 steps Whole Foods can take right now to move beyond plastic
10 steps Whole Foods can immediately take to reduce single-use plastic
The national chain prides itself on being a green grocer, but in reality, their promises fall short. Here are 10 steps that Whole Foods should take – many of which have already been taken by other retailers – to be more sustainable and ultimately be an industry leader once again.
A look back at our work in 2021
DEC. 23, 2021: The past year was a reminder that positive change never comes easily. In 2021, the organizations of The Public Interest Network did our part to make incremental yet significant progress toward a greener, healthier world — including these 10 examples.
Team
Casale
Matt
Casale
Director, Environment Campaigns, PIRG
Rakov
Susan
Rakov
Senior Vice President, The Public Interest Network; Managing Director, Frontier Group
Morgenstein
Mark
Morgenstein
Director of Media Relations, The Public Interest Network