Friend,

Everything's bigger at Costco -- but unfortunately, the nationwide chain isn't going big enough on reducing wasteful single-use plastic packaging, which often can't be recycled and instead pollutes our environment for centuries.

Last fall, a report gave Costco an "F" for its excessive single-use plastic packaging.1

In the face of a plastic pollution crisis that's growing more dire by the day and putting hundreds of species of wildlife in harm's way, it makes no sense for retailers like Costco to continue flooding their aisles with single-use plastic.

If Costco takes action to reduce its plastic footprint, it would set an example for other stores to follow. Will you join us in calling on Costco to help lead the way to a future where we put our environment and wildlife over plastic waste?

To you and me, the all-too-common sight of plastic pollution in our parks, waterways and other natural spaces is a frustrating reminder of the environmental cost of momentary conveniences like single-use plastic items.

But for wildlife, the stakes are infinitely higher. For a bird or fish or turtle, it's easy to mistake a small piece of plastic for food. When animals ingest plastic waste, it can block their digestive tract and cause them to starve. Toxic chemicals in plastic can even harm their health in the long run.2

Nothing we use for a few minutes should be allowed to pollute our oceans and rivers and threaten wildlife for centuries.

Plastic packaging is the largest single contributor to the plastic waste crisis --14.5 million tons of plastic containers were generated in 2018 alone.3

It's clear we need a large-scale shift away from single-use plastic packaging, and Costco can play a crucial role. By taking unnecessary plastic packaging off its shelves, it will both immediately reduce the amount of plastic in our environment, and also set an important example for others in the industry to follow.

But the company won't act if it doesn't hear thousands of voices like yours telling it to step up on this crucial issue. Send your message to Costco today.

Thank you,

Ellen Montgomery

1. "2021 Corporate Plastic Pollution Scorecard," As You Sow, September 29, 2021.
2. "Wildlife Over Waste," Environment America, last accessed July 15, 2022.
3. "Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short, says OECD," OECD, February 22, 2022.