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About MASSPIRG

MASSPIRG FIGHTS FOR THE PUBLIC­—MASSPIRG Executive Director Janet Domenitz testifying before the legislative committee considering the Updated Bottle Bill, urging lawmakers to stand with the public instead of siding with the beverage and bottling industries, and to vote to update the commonwealth's most sucessful recycling program.

An Independent Voice For Consumers

MASSPIRG is a consumer group that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security or our right to fully participate in our democratic society. 

Since 1972, we’ve stood up for consumers, countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests.

OUR TOP PRIORITIES

Using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation, MASSPIRG stands up to powerful interests and delivers concrete results. 


 

UPDATE THE BOTTLE BILL

For more than 30 years, Executive Director Janet Domenitz has fought to make Massachusetts healthier and more sustainable. By updating the Bottle Bill, we can keep an extra billion bottles from being buried and burned every year. >LEARN MORE


 

KEEP MASS ON TRACK

We won more federal money for high-speed rail in New England, and we organized the public to convince the legislature to limit fare hikes and service cuts on the T. >LEARN MORE


 

REINING IN WALL STREET

After the financial crisis, we spearheaded the fight to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which recently forced Capital One to pay back $140 million in unfair credit card fees to consumers. >LEARN MORE


 

PROTECTING CONSUMERS

Our toy safety reports and lab research have led to recalls of more than 150 toxic or dangerous toys, and our advocates  have pushed to keep toxic chemicals out of all consumer products.>LEARN MORE


 

MASSPIRG takes on powerful interests on behalf of consumers in Massachusetts, working to win concrete results for our health, safety and financial security. Since 1972, we’ve been a voice for consumers, countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests. Our team of researchers uncovers the facts; our staff bring our findings to the public, through the media as well as one-on-one interactions; and our advocates bring the voice of the public to the halls of power on behalf of consumers.

MASSPIRG And The Federation Of State Public Interest Research Groups

 

MASSPIRG is an independent, state-based, citizen-funded organization that advocates for the public interest and is a member of U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups.

 

Since 1970, state PIRGs have delivered results-oriented citizen activism, stood up to powerful special interests, and used the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation to win real results on issues that matter.

 

Across the country, state PIRGs employ close to 400 organizers, policy analysts, scientists and attorneys, and are active in 47 states, with a federal lobby office in Washington, D.C. On national issues that impact Bay Staters, we also coordinate our efforts, pool resources, and share expertise so that we can have the biggest impact — here in Massachusetts and for the country at large.

MASSPIRG Staff
MASSPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. When consumers are cheated, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, MASSPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight for the public interest. Find out more about our staff

Funded By Our Citizen Members

Thousands of MASSPIRG members and supporters fund our staff so we can counter the influence of powerful special interests. We conduct the research, educate the public, and advocate in the public's interest by making our case face-to-face with elected officials.

 

What's New

Media Hit | Consumer Protection

The Sun Chronicle - On the hunt for toxic toys

This year Cheryl Gaudino may be getting a late start on her Christmas shopping, but her spring cleaning is months ahead of schedule. After reports of high level of toxins and a tsunami of recalls in children's toys, the North Attleboro mother gathered her 11-year-old autistic son's toys and sent them packing.

> Keep Reading
Report | Consumer Protection

Trouble in Toyland

For several years, we have reported that toys are safer than ever before, thanks to decades of work by product safety advocates and parents and the leadership of Congress, state legislatures and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Yet, as many have noted, 2007 has been described as the “year of the recall.” Millions of toys, including famous playthings like Thomas the Tank Engine and Barbie, have been recalled in 2007. Many of these toys have been from leading manufacturers like Mattel, and most were imported from China.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Solid Waste

Lowell Sun - Debate flows on opening bottle-bill deposit to more beverages

 

 

Litterbugs and waste mongers would get a fresh incentive to take bottles and cans to recycling centers across the state under a series of amendments to the state's "bottle bill." New legislation to update the 24-year-old bottle bill would add a 5-cent deposit to about 700 million non-carbonated beverages, such as iced tea, sports drinks, fruit juices and bottled water.

 

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Solid Waste

The Berkshire Eagle - Bill would extend deposit to more bottles

Litterbugs and waste mongers will get a fresh incentive to take bottles and cans to recycling centers across the state under a series of amendments to the state's "bottle bill." New legislation to update the 24-year-old bottle bill would add a 5 cent deposit to noncarbonated beverages, such as iced tea, sports drinks, fruit juices and bottled water. Bottles used for dairy products, instant formula, and FDA-approved medicines would remain off the list.

> Keep Reading

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News Release | MASSPIRG Education Fund

On the first of the month, here’s how to address bill payments challenges during COVID-19

Boston-- The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in job losses across the board, leaving many Americans wondering how they’re going to pay their monthly bills. MASSPIRG Education Fund released a guide Tuesday with tips for how consumers can negotiate with their banks to lower interest rates, waive overdraft fees, and agree on payment plans to provide more financial peace of mind in the months to come.

News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Here’s how to address bill payment challenges during COVID-19

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has left many Americans wondering how they’re going to pay their monthly bills. U.S. PIRG Education Fund new advice on how to negotiate with banks, utilities delaying payments, waiving of overdraft fees and other ways to stay financially secure.

News Release | U.S. PIRG

Marriott discloses second security breach in 16 months

Marriott, the world’s largest hotel chain in terms of guest rooms, disclosed Tuesday that up to 5.2 million customers were impacted by a security breach related to the company’s loyalty app.

News Release | U.S. PIRG

President Trump takes crucial step of activating Defense Production Act to get more ventilators

In response to a critical shortage of ventilators needed to keep severe COVID-19 patients breathing, President Donald Trump ordered General Motors to produce the life-saving machines under the Defense Production Act. The Department of Health and Human Services will be responsible for implementation of and follow through on that order. 

News Release | U.S. PIRG

Who will receive up to $4.5 trillion in corporate bailouts? Taxpayers deserve transparency.

The novel coronavirus presents an unprecedented crisis for our country and demands an unprecedented government response. Congress is poised to approve spending more tax dollars in a single stimulus bill than ever before in U.S. history. With so much money on the line, taxpayers need to know that their dollars will be well spent.

Democracy

PIRG urges states to adopt emergency absentee voting

The novel coronavirus outbreak is, understandably, causing many Americans to think twice about going to the polls. To protect public health and the integrity of our elections, PIRG is calling on states to make sure residents can cast absentee ballots for the 2020 elections.

 

COVID-19

Manufacturers should release service information for hospital ventilators

During this public health crisis, it is vitally important that qualified technicians be able to repair and maintain our ventilators. But some manufacturers don't provide easy access to the repair documentation needed to fix these lifesaving devices.

 

Transportation

Massachusetts Legislature considers bill to require MBTA to go electric

The Massachusetts Senate is considering a bill that would require the MBTA to fully transition to electric buses by 2040. The effect would be staggering: 55,000 tons of greenhouse gases would no longer be emitted each year — the equivalent of taking more than 10,600 cars off the road. MASSPIRG is urging the Legislature to pass this vital bill.

 

Public Health

Massachusetts unveils new program to protect kids from lead poisoning

On Jan. 14, Massachusetts launched a new program to get the lead out of school drinking water. The School Water Improvement Grants program (SWIG) will provide schools with water filling stations certified to remove lead, and will conduct water testing for schools that have not yet been tested.

 

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Your donation supports MASSPIRG's work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress.

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MASSPIRG is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to getting things done.