Cal. sues ExxonMobil for alleged decades of deception around plastic recycling

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, accusing the company of misleading the public for decades regarding the effectiveness of plastic recycling. The lawsuit, presented in the San Francisco County Superior Court, claims that ExxonMobil engaged in a "decades-long campaign of deception" to promote recycling as a viable solution to plastic pollution, despite knowing that most plastics are not recyclable. Bonta seeks to compel ExxonMobil to cease these practices and pay civil penalties for the environmental harm caused by plastic waste. The lawsuit follows a two-year investigation by the Department of Justice into the role of fossil fuel companies in the global plastics crisis. ExxonMobil, the world's largest producer of polymers used in single-use plastics, has countered that California's recycling system is ineffective and that the state should collaborate with them to address the issue rather than pursue legal action. The lawsuit highlights the broader context of the plastics industry, which has been criticized for its role in environmental degradation and climate change, as only a small percentage of plastic is recycled globally. Environmental advocates view this lawsuit as a significant step in holding the plastics industry accountable for its misleading claims.

- California sues ExxonMobil for misleading the public about plastic recycling.

- The lawsuit seeks to end deceptive practices and impose civil penalties.

- ExxonMobil claims California's recycling system is ineffective.

- The case follows a two-year investigation into fossil fuel companies' roles in plastic pollution.

- Only a small percentage of plastic waste is currently recycled globally.