John,

The United States generates an astounding 35 million tons of plastic waste every single year. We're the world's single biggest plastic polluter.1

That's why we're working to move our country beyond plastic by convincing corporations to use less plastic in the first place, eliminating the worst single-use plastics, and pushing back against industry misinformation.

But these campaigns take resources. As we plan for the year ahead, we've set a goal of raising $100,000 by midnight on New Year's Eve, to ensure that we can keep this work going strong.

Are you with us? Make your year-end donation today.

If your sink is flooding, the first thing you'd do isn't look for a mop. You would turn off the tap.

The same is true for the flood of plastic pollution. No matter how diligent we are about putting plastic in the right bin, only a tiny fraction of plastic actually gets recycled.

If we're going to turn the tide on plastic pollution, we need to turn off the tap and stop making so much plastic in the first place.

Make your year-end gift now to help us move our country beyond plastic.

There isn't one simple solution to this plastic pollution problem -- but PIRG has a plan:

• Retailers can be part of the solution by using less plastic, especially in their packaging. We've already helped convince Amazon to start reducing plastic, and thousands of PIRG supporters have called on companies like Costco, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods to reduce their plastic footprint.2 Donate now >>

• For decades, the plastics industry has pushed out misleading information about recycling. From misleading labels to burning plastic and calling it "chemical recycling," we're shining a spotlight on the industry's deceptive practices, and calling on states and the Federal Trade Commission to promote truth in recycling. Donate now >>

• The simplest solution to the plastic waste crisis is to make less plastic in the first place. That's why we're working to phase out the worst single-use plastics, and we're making progress: More than a third of Americans live in a state with restrictions on at least one kind of plastic.4 Donate now >>

• We're campaigning to pass the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, which would prohibit the dumping of plastic pellets, often called nurdles, into our nation's waterways. Along with our national network, we've rallied tens of thousands of people to contact their representatives in Congress and urge them to pass this bill. And this spring, dozens of PIRG staff converged on Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and their staff. Donate now >>

For decades, PIRG has been taking on tough campaigns and winning real results. But we're up against stiff opposition, and these campaigns will take significant resources to win.

We don't take a penny from corporations; our work is fueled by grassroots supporters like you. Will you donate to our End of Year Drive today?

Thank you for making our work possible,

Faye Park
President

1. "Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report," Environmental Protection Agency, last accessed November 14, 2024.
2. "Amazon announces 'largest reduction in plastic packaging' in North America," PIRG, June 20, 2024.
3. Dharna Noor, "'They lied': plastics producers deceived public about recycling, report reveals," The Guardian, February 15, 2024.
4. "Reducing plastic waste in the states," PIRG, last accessed December 9, 2024.

Your donation will power our dedicated staff of organizers, policy experts and attorneys who drive all of our campaigns in the public interest, from banning toxic pesticides and moving us beyond plastic, to saving our antibiotics and being your consumer watchdog, to protecting our environment and our democracy. None of our work would be possible without the support of people just like you.

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