Since 1973, we've been at the forefront of student-powered change.

Be the change you want to see.

It all started with an idea: that students, when united and empowered, can create real, lasting change.

Founded by students at the University of Michigan in 1973, PIRGIM was built on the belief that when we pool our resources and work together, we can make a huge difference for society. Our first major victory proved just that-passing the Michigan Bottle Bill, which gave residents a 10-cent deposit for recycling carbonated beverage bottles and cans, leading to one of the most successful recycling programs in the country.

Since then, PIRGIM has evolved into a grassroot-powered organization dedicated to tackling statewide issues that impact the public, the environment, and our communities. Now, we’re working to bring back the strong, student-funded model that fueled change in the ‘70s because the power of student activism didn’t end with the last generation. It’s alive today, ready to make a difference for Michigan, for the planet, and for the next wave of students.

Our History

  • • 1973: PIRGIM study of deceptive gas price advertising leads the Michigan Attorney General to adopt Fair Advertising Guidelines, which nearly every Michigan gas station complied with.

    • 1974: PIRGIM helps win the Generic Drug Law for Michigan, allowing pharmacists to substitute brand-name drugs with cost-effective generics.

    • 1976: PIRGIM campaigns for the Michigan referendum enacting the state’s iconic Bottle Bill, establishing a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers to promote recycling and reduce litter.

    • 1977: PIRGIM helps win the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, enhancing transparency and public access to government records.

    • 1978: PIRGIM helps lead efforts to win key tenant protections in Michigan, safeguarding renters’ rights.

    • 1979: PIRGIM sponsors Michigan’s largest rally against nuclear power in the state’s history.

  • • 1981: PIRGIM organizes the very first Take Back the Night march at the University of Michigan, bringing attention to issues of sexual violence.

    • 1984: PIRGIM helps win a $378.5 million rate hike reduction from Michigan phone companies, protecting consumers from unjustified rate increases.

    • 1986: PIRGIM helps win the Right-to-Know Law for toxic substances in Michigan workplaces, mandating employer transparency about workplace hazards.

    • 1988: PIRGIM helps win a ballot initiative allocating $425 million for toxic waste cleanup across Michigan.

  • • 1990: PIRGIM helps win Michigan’s Toxic Art Supply Labeling Law, ensuring safer materials in schools and art spaces.

    • 1990: PIRGIM wins the nation’s toughest Polluter Pays legislation in Michigan, holding polluters financially accountable for environmental damage.

    • 1993: PIRGIM wins landfill cleanup funding and secures curbside recycling programs in Riverview, Michigan.

    • 1997: PIRGIM wins $460,000 in a water pollution lawsuit against New Haven Foundry in Macomb, Michigan, holding them accountable for contaminating local waterways.

  • • 2001: PIRGIM helps pass bill provisions to control urban sprawl in Michigan, preserving natural landscapes and curbing unchecked development.

    • 2002: PIRGIM helps win a ban on drilling the Great Lakes from the Michigan shoreline, safeguarding freshwater resources.

    • 2003: Students for PIRGIM helps pass the Ann Arbor Greenbelt initiative by mobilizing student support, protecting thousands of acres of farmland and open space around the city.

  • • 2011: PIRGIM published the report “Connecting the Midwest,” highlighting the benefits of a regional high-speed rail network to reduce congestion and environmental impact.

    • 2015: PIRGIM released “Following the Money 2015,” a comprehensive analysis of state transparency in government spending, advocating for greater accountability.

  • • 2022: PIRGIM participated in Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, co-sponsoring events to educate and mobilize students in addressing these critical issues.

    • 2023: PIRGIM celebrated 50 years of student-driven activism, reflecting on a legacy of impactful campaigns and preparing for future challenges.

    • 2024: PIRGIM helped register and mobilize students to vote, promoting civic engagement and ensuring student voices were heard in the democratic process.