clean water action

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Clean Water Action is thrilled to raise the voices of strong women in the environmental justice field who continue to encourage us to take action and better our communities.

NJ's statewide ban on single-use carryout bags and polystyrene foam containers was a huge victory made possible in part by the 50 plus local ordinances banning these and other single-use disposables. This just goes to show how powerful local policies can be in creating larger change. So what else can municipalities do?

Just months after announcing groundbreaking environmental justice legislation, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced a trio of environmental actions, including over $100 million in new transportation investments to tackle the climate crisis, reduce pollution in communities of color and high-poverty areas, and create new jobs.

Despite so many challenges, we accomplished so much in 2020. One of our biggest victories in New Jersey was helping pass legislation banning single-use carryout bags and polystyrene foam food containers, while also limiting unnecessary use of plastic straws by requiring restaurants to provide them only upon request! This is a huge step forward but we still have a long way to go to fight plastic pollution and climate change. So what else can we do?

Last month, TJX—the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Home Goods, and Sierra Trading Post—announced on its website it is developing an expanded “Chemical Management” strategy. 

What could have been a momentous step towards achieving environmental justice and equity was instead a painfully missed opportunity.

With this year's legislative session entirely virtual, it is so important that members like you write and call your legislators, submit testimony, and support bills by spreading the word!

On this momentous Inauguration Day, I am reflecting on the challenges we’ve faced as well as the positive change we have created together these past four years. Across the country, we banded together, steadfast in our duty to protect our environment in the face of very real threats.

In a major victory for Clean Water Action and the Mind the Store campaign, McDonald's has announced a global ban on toxic PFAS ( per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)  in their food packaging by 2025.

To start the new year, we have a victory to celebrate! On New Year's Day, Governor Baker signed the Children and Firefighters Protection Act into law.