John,

Are you as sick of it as we are?

I'm talking about all of the plastic we see littering our beaches and trails, trashing our rivers and streams, and piling up in our landfills.

And it's no wonder this is happening, with nearly 40% of all plastic produced worldwide being used for packaging alone.1

It's borderline insane: Millions of tons of plastic are designed to be used for a few minutes and then thrown away -- yet it will linger in our environment for decades, or even longer.

That's why we need big retailers like Costco to reduce the unnecessary plastic wrapping their products and cluttering their shelves. Add your name and urge Costco to cut down on single-use plastic packaging today.

How much plastic are we talking about?

Well, every 16 hours, Americans generate enough plastic waste to overflow the NFL's largest stadium. That's a stadium big enough to seat 80,000 people, packed to the brim with bottles, wrappers, films and takeout containers.2

Why focus on Costco?

Costco's bulk shopping model often entails oversized plastic containers, shrink-wrapped produce and rigid clamshells, even around the smallest of products.

All of that plastic will break down slowly, but never completely. It will leach into our water, contaminate our soil and wildlife, and enter our bodies in a massive science experiment nobody ever asked for.3

That's why we need major retailers like Costco to step up and lead the charge to reduce plastic waste at its source. Will you add your name and help us convince Costco to cut back plastic packaging and the waste it produces today?

Why do we think Costco can do this? And why would they listen to you?

• In 2021, the company reported cutting more than 17 million pounds of plastic from its packaging by switching some of its products to recyclable boxes and bags and eliminating unnecessary wrap from many of their shipments.4

• A couple years later, after tens of thousands of customers spoke up, Costco also pledged to release data on the plastic footprint of its in-house Kirkland Signature brand, publishing a five-year action plan to cut its waste.5

Costco has proven that it can act. Now we need them to commit to do more -- and then actually do it.

Here's how Costco can build on its progress: set clear goals to cut more plastic; expand sustainable packaging across more products; and move toward recyclable or compostable alternatives wherever possible.

Costco has the power to set a new industry standard, reducing plastic waste and inspiring more sustainable retail practices across the nation.

Add your name today and urge Costco to cut more plastic packaging today.

Thank you,

Faye Park
President

1."Everything you need to know about plastic pollution," UN Environment Programme, April 25, 2023.
2. "Trash in America," Environment America Research and Policy Center, September 29, 2021.
3. "Everything you need to know about plastic pollution," UN Environment Programme, April 25, 2023.
4. Sheri Flies, "A year in review, Costco Wholesale," last accessed September 17, 2025.
5. "Costco makes new commitments to reduce plastic use," PIRG, October 12, 2023.

Support U.S. PIRG. Contributions by people just like you make our advocacy possible. Your contribution supports a staff of organizers, attorneys, scientists and other professionals who monitor government and corporate decisions and advocate on the public's behalf.

Join us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

U.S. PIRG, Main Office: 1543 Wazee St., Suite 460, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 801-0582
Federal Advocacy Office: 600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, 4th Fl., Washington, DC 20003, (202) 546-9707
Member Questions or Requests: 1-800-838-6554.

If you want us to stop sending you email then follow this link -- unsubscribe.