About MoPIRG
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.
An Independent Voice For Consumers
MoPIRG 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.
For decades, 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, MoPIRG stands up to powerful interests and delivers concrete results. 
STOP THE OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS
The overuse of antibiotics on factory farms is contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, threatening millions of Americans every year. We're calling on major restaurants to take strong action to address this growing public health threat. >LEARN MORE
DEMOCRACY FOR THE PEOPLE
We're working to stanch the flow of big money in our democracy by increasing the influence of small donors in elections. We're also part of a national coalition that's helped 16 states and more than 650 cities call for an amendment to overturn Citizens United. >LEARN MORE
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Consumer Program Director Ed Mierzwinski has fought for consumers for more than 20 years. He spearheaded our fight to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has provided more than $11 billion in relief for consumers harmed by illegal practices. >LEARN MORE
21st CENTURY TRANSPORTATION
We're spending billions on highway expansion projects instead of investing in public transit, biking and pedestrian options that people both want and need. We're putting a spotlight on these projects, and calling on policymakers to invest in 21st Century Transportation options. >LEARN MORE
What's New
Highway Boondoggles 5 finds nine new budget-eating highway projects slated to cost a total of $25 billion that will harm communities and the environment, while likely failing to achieve meaningful transportation goals
Highway projects are notorious for wasting taxpayer dollars. In the fifth edition of their Highway Boondoggles report, MoPIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group identify nine new wasteful highway expansion projects across the country, slated to cost at least $25 billion collectively. Over five editions of the report, the groups have profiled 50 boondoggles.
Composting all organic waste -- including food scraps and yard trimmings -- could eliminate nearly one-third of all materials sent to landfills and trash incinerators across the United States. That’s according to Composting in America, a new report released today by U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Environment America Research and Policy Center and Frontier Group. The study outlines best practices for composting programs, which are critical for mitigating the negative impact of waste on the climate and public health.
America throws out immense amounts or trash, most of which is dumped into landfills or burned in trash incinerators. This is a costly system that damages the environment and harms our health. Luckily, communities across the country are turning toward a common-sense and beneficial solution: composting. Composting programs divert organic material – such as food scraps, leaves, branches, grass clippings and other biodegradable material – away from landfills and incinerators and turn it into a valuable product.
The media are reporting that efforts led by BigTech and BigPhone to push Congress to enact a self-serving umbrella privacy law on Capitol Hill are stalling. But that's only for now; they are still pushing hard. Pushback from legislators with stronger state laws is helping slow them down. So are the welcome efforts of civil rights colleagues to demand that digital and algorithmic decisions not discriminate. There's an important civil rights briefing later this afternoon on Capitol Hill. Learn more.
Antibiotics | U.S. PIRG
Hold the Antibiotics Wendy’s
A recent estimate suggests that as many as 162,000 people die from antibiotic-resistant infections every year. We delivered a message to Wendy’s CEO and shareholders: Get antibiotics out of your beef supply chain.
Transportation | U.S. PIRG
Volkswagen settlement scorecard
Volkswagen was caught cheating emissions laws and settled with federal authorities. The settlement included nearly $3 billion for the Environmental Mitigation Trust. How well does our state rank on plans for investing VW mitigation trust funds in clean transportation projects?
Solid Waste | U.S. PIRG
25 billion foam cups trashed in the U.S.
That's 83 cups per person — every single year. They never fully degrade, but persist in our environment for centuries. Join our call to ban polystyrene foam cups and containers.
Budget | U.S. PIRG
Blueprint for tomorrow
Our report highlights which investments will alleviate the most dire problems America faces as a result of crumbling or outdated infrastructure.
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Your donation supports MoPIRG’s work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress.