ExxonMobil under fire for misleading public on plastic recycling, California lawsuit claims

California has filed a lawsuit accusing ExxonMobil of deliberately misleading the public about the effectiveness of plastic recycling, alleging that the oil giant has known for decades that recycling plastics would not substantially reduce plastic waste. Attorney General Rob Bonta claims ExxonMobil promoted recycling to shield its plastic production from criticism, driving a rise in plastic usage under false pretences. The lawsuit is seen as a significant step in holding the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries accountable for environmental degradation.

The deception behind plastic recycling

The lawsuit follows a two-and-a-half-year investigation into ExxonMobil’s role in promoting single-use plastics while falsely claiming these materials could be recycled efficiently. The company allegedly launched campaigns starting in the 1970s, even as internal communications revealed that plastic recycling would be largely ineffective. ExxonMobil is accused of violating California’s false advertising and unfair competition laws by continuing to market recycling as a solution to the growing environmental crisis caused by plastic waste.

California’s lawsuit demands that ExxonMobil fund abatement efforts, which would address ongoing pollution issues and help educate the public about the limited recyclability of most plastics. Bonta has also called for an end to what he describes as ExxonMobil’s misleading statements. The state is particularly concerned with the extensive plastic pollution caused by the oil and petrochemical industries, which contribute significantly to global plastic waste.

The impact of ExxonMobil’s campaigns

The company’s campaigns in the 1980s successfully deterred legislative action aimed at reducing plastic production. ExxonMobil, the world’s largest producer of petrochemicals, was a major force behind initiatives that promoted the idea of plastics as recyclable, despite knowing that recycling processes were largely ineffective for most plastic products. This contributed to a significant increase in plastic production, with the industry now generating over 300 million tons of plastic annually.

Bonta’s office highlights that California now spends over $1 billion annually on managing plastic waste, much of which still ends up in landfills or the environment. As a result, the lawsuit seeks an injunction preventing ExxonMobil from making further deceptive claims about its plastics and recycling operations. The state also aims to recover a portion of the profits the company gained from its misleading practices.

ExxonMobil’s response

In response to the lawsuit, ExxonMobil has denied the allegations, stating that California’s ineffective recycling system is the root cause of the problem. A company spokesperson reiterated ExxonMobil’s commitment to advanced recycling technologies, claiming the company has processed over 60 million pounds of plastic waste into raw materials. However, environmental advocates argue that these claims are exaggerated and represent only a small fraction of the plastic waste produced globally.

Expert opinion: accountability in the plastics industry

Environmental law experts believe the case against ExxonMobil represents a crucial moment in the fight against corporate greenwashing. An expert notes that ExxonMobil’s tactics are emblematic of a broader trend within the petrochemical industry. He believes the lawsuit will force companies like ExxonMobil to reevaluate their role in plastic pollution and reconsider their public messaging.

This lawsuit is one of several legal challenges targeting ExxonMobil. Last year, the company faced another lawsuit from California seeking compensation for the damage caused by climate change. Legal experts believe that these cases are part of a growing movement to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their environmental impact, with a particular focus on the plastics industry.