California Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Exxon Mobil Over Alleged Role in Global Plastic Pollution Crisis
California has taken legal action against oil giant Exxon Mobil over its purported involvement in the proliferation of plastic waste on a global scale. Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit during Climate Week in New York City, revealing the state’s findings from a comprehensive two-year investigation. The investigation uncovered evidence suggesting that Exxon had been misleading the public regarding the efficacy of recycling practices.
The lawsuit sheds light on Exxon’s promotion of “advanced recycling” technology, which utilizes pyrolysis to convert hard-to-recycle plastic into fuel. Bonta emphasized that the slow progress of this technology indicates Exxon’s ongoing deception in its marketing efforts. The lawsuit aims to hold Exxon accountable for its contribution to the plastics pollution crisis and seeks to put an end to the company’s deceptive practices.
Exxon, the world’s largest producer of resins for single-use plastics, has denied any wrongdoing and refuted claims of misleading the public about plastic recycling limitations and climate change. However, California’s lawsuit marks a significant step in addressing the environmental impact of plastic pollution and may have implications for future global plastic treaty negotiations.
The lawsuit comes ahead of upcoming treaty talks in South Korea, where countries are divided on whether to impose caps on plastic production. The United States has expressed support for reducing global plastic production, a stance that aligns with California’s efforts to combat plastics pollution. The outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching effects on the petrochemical industry and environmental policies worldwide.