California Sues ExxonMobil Over Plastic Recycling Claims
California filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, claiming the company misled the public about plastic recycling and contributed to pollution from bottles, bags, and wrappers. Attorney General Rob Bonta accused ExxonMobil of a long-term deception that worsened the global plastic pollution crisis.
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco, seeks to hold ExxonMobil responsible for falsely promoting plastics as recyclable. Estimates show that only about 9% of plastic is recycled globally, with just 5-6% in the U.S.
Bonta stated, “For decades, ExxonMobil has deceived the public about recycling’s effectiveness while prioritizing profits over the planet and health.” The lawsuit demands that ExxonMobil contribute billions to mitigate the harm caused by their misleading claims, funding public education and research on effective recycling methods. It also seeks civil penalties.
This case is the first by a U.S. official against an oil company for misleading plastic claims. Four environmental groups have also filed similar lawsuits against ExxonMobil.
ExxonMobil defended itself, with spokesperson Lauren Kight saying California officials have known their recycling system is ineffective and should have worked with them to solve the issue instead of suing.
The lawsuit follows an investigation launched in April 2022 into the fossil fuel industry's role in plastic pollution. The 147-page complaint alleges ExxonMobil violated state laws regarding water pollution, unfair competition, and false advertising by promoting the recycling symbol while knowing it misled the public.
The suit also challenges ExxonMobil’s “advanced recycling” program, which claims to make plastics sustainable but allegedly hides its limitations. More than 90% of plastic waste processed by ExxonMobil reportedly becomes fuel rather than recycled plastic.
Kight mentioned that ExxonMobil has processed over 60 million pounds of plastic waste into usable materials.
This passage highlights the urgent issue of plastic pollution and the various legislative and legal efforts underway to combat it. Here’s a summary of the key points:
1. Plastic Pollution Crisis: A study revealed that Earth's oceans contain over 170 trillion pieces of plastic, which can break down into harmful microplastics and nanoplastics that enter human bodies.
2. Legislative Action in California: California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to ban plastic shopping bags from grocery and convenience stores by 2026, as part of broader efforts to reduce plastic waste.
3. Legal Actions Against Corporations: States like New York are suing companies like PepsiCo for environmental pollution linked to their packaging. More than a dozen states and municipalities have also taken legal action against oil companies for their role in plastic production.
4. Confidence in Legal Claims: California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed confidence in the lawsuit against ExxonMobil, which has received support from environmental advocates who view it as a significant step against misinformation regarding plastics recycling.
5. Advocacy Perspectives: Environmental advocates emphasize the need to reduce single-use plastics rather than relying solely on recycling, likening current recycling efforts to ineffective measures while the production of plastic continues unabated.
The passage underscores the growing recognition of plastic pollution as a critical environmental issue and the multifaceted approach needed to address it through legislation, litigation, and advocacy.