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John,
One company's plastic packaging is a centuries-long pollution problem for all of us.
The momentum against plastic is growing, and we have a real opportunity to secure meaningful commitments from some of America's most popular retailers.
We have a goal to raise $100,000 by midnight on Dec. 31. Will you help fuel our work to convince corporations to move beyond plastic?
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These days, a simple grocery run is synonymous with excessive, often needless and virtually unavoidable plastic packaging.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
Whole Foods has built its reputation on a commitment to environmental stewardship. Despite this, Whole Foods's shelves remain lined with plastic. In fact, in 2021, the most recent year for which the Plastic Pollution Scorecard is available, Whole Foods received a failing grade.[1]
Trader Joe's is lauded for its unique selection, friendly employees and small store size. But Trader Joe's uses millions of pounds of plastic to wrap its products every year, and much of it will likely end up in landfills or littering streets and waterways.[2]
We're urging Whole Foods and Trader Joe's to blaze a plastic-free trail in the supermarket industry, because nothing we use for a few minutes should threaten our health and pollute our future for hundreds of years.
You can help power our corporate campaigns with a donation.
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Other companies, whether online retailers or brick-and-mortar stores, can strengthen their plastic reduction commitments, too.
Amazon will ship more than half a billion packages this holiday season.[3] But even though Amazon successfully phased out plastic air pillows, many items come packaged in plastic that can't -- or won't -- be recycled.[4] Unfortunately, much of it is destined to pollute oceans and neighborhoods.
At Costco, small items are often sold in oversized packages.[5] In fact, gift cards, cosmetics and other small purchases are placed in clear plastic shells that are several times the size of the item. In 2022, Costco updated its plastic reduction commitments.[6] Now, we're asking the company to update them again.
Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Amazon and Costco are some of America's most popular places to shop. Imagine the profound impact these companies could have if, together, they presented a united front against plastic.
Will you help us reach our $100,000 goal by donating to our End of Year Drive by midnight on Dec. 31?
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Thank you,
Faye Park
President
1. "Shopping at Whole Foods should mean less plastic waste," PIRG, June 24, 2025.
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2. "Trader Joe's can do more to reduce plastic waste," PIRG, December 16, 2024.
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3. "Our Amazon wishlist: Less plastic shipping waste," PIRG, November 27, 2024.
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4. Jenn Engstrom and Celeste Meiffren-Swango, "Amazon just took another big step toward reducing its plastic waste. But the job's not done," PIRG, June 20, 2024.
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5. Matt Casale, "Costco should stop supersizing wasteful packaging," PIRG, April 19, 2024.
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6. Matt Casale, "Costco should stop supersizing wasteful packaging," PIRG, April 19, 2024.
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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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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
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