We All Live Downstream

Saving a Bedrock Pennsylvania Environmental Law

April 28, 2026 | By Steve Hvozdovich

Clean Water Action and its supporters successfully blocked a proposed DEP rule that would have weakened Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law by allowing polluters greater discretion in reporting spills. The rule risked delaying responses to pollution and reducing transparency. Its withdrawal marks a major victory for clean water protections, public health, and community advocacy.

Philadelphia’s Bring Your Own Bag Bill: How We Got Here and Why It Matters

January 6, 2026 | By Maurice Sampson

Philadelphia just took a major step toward sustainability. After years of advocacy, the Bring Your Own Bag (BYOBag) law is now in effect: cutting paper bag waste, supporting small businesses, and promoting equity by encouraging reusable bags. Smart policy, real impact, and a cleaner city for everyone.

A New Frontier for Pittsburgh’s Water

December 1, 2025 | By Curtis Da’Von

Pittsburgh’s water system faced serious challenges just 10 years ago— from lead contamination, aging infrastructure, and stormwater flooding all of which hit Environmental Justice neighborhoods the hardest. But today, Pittsburgh Water is entering a new era of investment, accountability, community partnership, and safe drinking water. Clean Water Action has been a key part of that transformation.

ReThink Disposable Collaborates with Schools to Bring Reuse to our Youth

July 18, 2025 | By Amber Schmidt and Julie Wedge

K-12 students spend half their year in school, with up to 60% of students choosing school-provided lunch options. Pre-K and daycare kids are in these educational settings year-round. Unfortunately, many schools serve meals on disposable cafeteria foodware such as polystyrene foam trays and plastic utensils.

Why Plastic Free July?

July 10, 2025 | By Julie Wedge

Each year we collaborate with our reuse partners to highlight our work reducing single use plastic foodware from our waste streams. Why? Well, we know that 50% of all plastic ever produced has been manufactured since 2000. We also know that plastic contains forever chemicals that are known to cause health problems in humans.