Our state Legislature is considering multiple bills to tackle single-use plastics, which could make Massachusetts a leader in slashing plastic waste — but your lawmakers need to hear from you.
Our state Legislature is considering multiple bills to tackle single-use plastics, which could make Massachusetts a leader in slashing plastic waste — but your lawmakers need to hear from you.
Food
New restrictions on bee-killing pesticides will help keep our pollinators safe
Massachusetts has approved new restrictions on a class of bee-killing pesticides called neonicotinoids, or "neonics." These chemicals play a significant role in bee die-offs — and curbing their use on lawns, turf, trees, shrubs and gardens is a critical step toward protecting our most important pollinators.
Higher Ed
MASSPIRG helps secure landmark protections for student loan borrowers
Gov. Baker has signed the MASSPIRG-backed Student Loan Borrowers Bill of Rights into law, which will institute new protections against deceptive lending practices to nearly 1 million student borrowers across the state.
COVID-19
Nursing Home Safety During COVID
Ongoing research by U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group, analyzing government data, shows that too many of the 1.3 million Americans residing in the nation’s 15,000 nursing homes are at risk due to dangerous shortages of personal protective equipment and/or staff.
Transportation
Massachusetts signs landmark commitment to slash transportation emissions
Massachusetts has signed onto the landmark Transportation and Climate Initiative Program, which will invest in clean transportation projects such as zero-emission electric vehicles, expanded public transit options, and walking and biking infrastructure. Several other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have joined or expressed support as well.
We can't do it without you.
MASSPIRG is your advocate for the public interest, speaking out for healthier, safer, more secure lives for all of us.
News & Research
News Release | MASSPIRG
BOSTON--- As “National Hurricane Preparedness Week” kicks off, many communities across the country are still dealing with the devastating effects of last year’s record-shattering hurricane season. To help prepare for this year, USPIRG Education Fund and Environment America Research & Policy Center released a report Thursday highlighting the serious threat posed by toxic “Superfund” waste sites in the paths of hurricanes and tropical storms during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.
Blog Post
Why appliances aren’t built to last, and how the E.U. is changing that.
Report | MASSPIRG
As “National Hurricane Preparedness Week” kicks off, many communities across the country are still dealing with the devastating effects of last year’s record-shattering hurricane season. To help prepare for this year, USPIRG Education Fund and Environment America Research & Policy Center released a report Thursday highlighting the serious threat posed by toxic “Superfund” waste sites in the paths of hurricanes and tropical storms during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.
The report, entitled A Perfect Storm: When tropical storms meet toxic waste, pulls together data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to show that 810 sites were in areas affected by hurricanes and tropical storms during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, including 34 in Massachusetts. Additionally, the report made recommendations to the EPA for improving and expediting cleanup at these sites.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history. With a record-breaking 30 named storms, 11 of which made landfall in the United States, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season put on a destructive display of what we may come to expect as a new normal due to climate change.
Blog Post
A scorecard released by U.S. PIRG Education Fund found that many popular cosmetic brands score poorly on ingredient safety and disclosure. While companies and governments need to take action to protect consumers, in the meantime, you can take steps to keep your personal care routine safe.
News Release
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a report today on manufacturers' use of restrictive repair tactics that have kept consumers from repairing their own products.
RESOURCE
Coronavirus update
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we’ll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world.
Learn more about how we can work together to address the COVID-19 pandemic.