At Toxics Action Center , we believe that everyone has the right to breathe clean air and drink clean water. Formed in Massachusetts in 1987, Toxics Action Center has helped over 500 neighborhood gr oups ensure clean air and water through training residents to protect their communities from toxic hazards. Toxics Action Center works side by side with residents to clean up hazardous waste sites, reduce industrial pollution, prevent pesticide spraying and reform dangerous waste, energy and industrial facilities. Our assistance provides communities with the strategies, support, and access to resources needed to run effective grassroots campaigns. From convincing the two largest blueberry growers in Maine to abandon aerial spraying, to preventing pesticide use in schools across Massachusetts , Toxics Action Center has launched dozens of successful pesticide-reduction campaigns.

Refuse to Use ChemLawn Campaign Background

Lawn care pesticides are both ubiquitous and harmful. According to government reports, 67 million pounds of lawn pesticides are used annually on lawns across America . Alarmingly, lawns and gardens receive far heavier pesticide applications per acre than most other land areas in the U.S. , including agricultural areas.  Because pesticides are not effectively regulated, residents must use other avenues to change the lawn care pesticide industry. On March 15, 2005 , Toxics Action Center initiated an aggressive program to reduce pesticide use, focused on TruGreen ChemLawn, the nation’s leading lawn care provider. In October 2005, the laundry workers union UNITE-HERE joined the campaign to highlight the effects of pesticides on workers.

Our strategy is to harness consumer-buying power through a national boycott of ChemLawn, to use the media to highlight ChemLawn’s negative actions, especially exposure lawsuits, and to work with shareholders to pressure the company to meet four demands. We plan to win this campaign, working community by community.

Goals:   Work with 1-3 community groups to:

• Develop (and recruit) core group of activists and 1 key leader (per group)

• Collect 200 "Refuse to Use ChemLawn" pledges

• Compile a list of summer events and festivals to attend to gather pledges and identify potential volunteers

• Recruit 15 people to annual citizen's conference

• Attend 1 Toxics Action Center consultation

• Facilitate 1-3 planning consultations (1 per group)

• Assist with ChemLawn workshop at citizen's conference

• Garner 5 media hits/LTEs

• Conduct weekly check-in calls/meetings

To inquire about a position, contact Sylvia Broude at  sylvia@toxicsaction.org.