Massachusetts Campaigns

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Protecting Our Health from Toxic Chemicals

Toxic chemicals surround us—in our air, water, homes, and workplaces. Many chemicals used in everyday products, like plastics, cosmetics, toys,  and furniture, increase the risk of serious illnesses. Clean Water Action is working to reduce toxic chemicals in our homes, workplaces and communities. This year, we are asking Massachusetts authorities to:

  • Ban toxic PFAS chemicals from consumer products;
  • Support Massachusetts communities that have been impacted by elevated rates of PFAS in their drinking water
  • Requiring companies that manufacture, sell or distribute children’s products to disclose whether those products include toxic chemicals.  Require manufacturers to eliminate the most toxic chemicals from children’s productsl
  • Press supermarkets and big box retailers to get toxic products off their store shelves.
  • Ensure that Massachusetts addresses the risks associated with the emerging nanotechnology sector.

Last year, we won a big victory when the Massachusetts Legislature passed a law banning 11 dangerous flame retardants and giving the state the authority to restrict the use of additional flame retardants. This year, we are monitoring the law’s implementation, with a goal of adding additional flame retardants to the restricted list over the next several years.

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Environmental Justice, Climate Change and Clean Energy

Clean Energy and Climate Justice

The way we currently produce and use energy in the U.S. significantly contributes to the climate crisis and pollutes our water, air and communities. It also disproportionately harms low-income communities and communities of color.  Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund are working to advance solutions that reduce pollution in Massachusetts and make a clean energy future available to all. This includes:

  • Growing the green economy--including solar energy, energy efficiency and affordable public transit--and making it accessible to all communities;
  • Fighting for a just transition to clean energy while opposing systemic environmental injustices and expansion of polluting fossil fuels;
  • Advancing climate resilience projects such as community-controlled clean energy microgrids that help us keep the lights on and stay connected in extreme weather;
  • Ensuring a voice for marginalized communities during policy-making that affects them;
  • Fighting for a just price on carbon, which will create good jobs, help low-income households, and generate funding to invest at the community level in the transition away from fossil fuels.
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Water

Putting Water First in Massachusetts

Water is a human right. Clean Water Action is committed to making sure that all communities have access to clean and safe drinking water. Learn more below.

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Waste

Zero Waste

Our current 'materials economy' funnels enormous amounts of waste into toxic landfills and incinerators, destroying items of value while polluting our air, water, food systems and bodies.  Clean Water Action has been working for decades to create a fair and sustainable “circular economy.”  This includes:

  • Co-coordinating the Zero Waste Boston coalition, which has successfully pressed the City of Boston to create a Zero Waste plan and required that recycling companies pay workers a living wage.
  • Supporting local activists in Saugus, MA in their fight to end operations at the toxic and unjust Wheelabrator incinerator and working for a just transition that stops the pollution and creates a zero waste solutions to our waste crisis.
  • Ensuring that robust zero waste principles underpin the new state Solid Waste Master Plan, which will set waste policy and guide infrastructure development across the Commonwealth for at least the next decade.
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