This spring, our clubs across the country worked to take on fast fashion, organize food and clothing drives to help our communities, advocated in Capitol buildings on issues students care about and so much more! Here are just a few of few highlights:
Waste is out of Fashion
The fast fashion business model is built on waste. Clothing companies like H&M are constantly churning out the latest trends at incredibly cheap prices. In fact, about 30% of all the clothing produced globally each year is never sold or worn and is likely headed straight to the closest landfill or incinerator.
More than 200 student volunteers and leaders organized clothing swaps, documentary screenings, educational tables, crocheting events, and sustainable fashion shows with more than 1,000 attendees! With our partners, we also collected and delivered more than 20,000 petition signatures calling on H&M to help lead the fashion industry to a more sustainable future by publicly committing to not trash or burn new, unsold clothing within the United States.
Hunger and Homelessness
No one should have to worry about whether they will have food on their plate or a roof over their head. But the reality is that hunger and homelessness are widespread problems that affect far too many people.
Our PIRG Clubs volunteered with local community groups, hosted blanket making events, raised money for relief efforts to help those in need after natural disasters in Michigan and North Carolina, and collected thousands of items, clothing, food, and supplies for local shelters.
Educating our Elected Leaders
Students educated elected officials at state and federal levels on their campaigns and advocated for change. In total, we met directly with more than 100 local, state and federal leaders to make textbooks affordable, call for clean energy solutions, protect endangered species, and more.
Organize your community this summer!
We are keeping up the momentum this summer! Apply for our Organizer Leadership Training Program to learn the skills to effectively mobilize your community. We are accepting applications for our 4-week program that starts in the next couple of weeks. Learn more here!
This summer we are launching local campaign actions to:
- Stop fast fashion practices and promote sustainable alternatives
- Clean up our waterways of plastic pollution
- Protect endangered species
- Stop wasteful practices by ensuring people have the tools and resources to fix their own stuff
- And more!
Thanks for supporting our work to make a difference!
Caleb Gustavson
Student PIRG Club Advisory Council