California Sues ExxonMobil Over Alleged Plastics Recycling Deception

In a groundbreaking legal action, the state of California has initiated a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, accusing the oil corporation of misleading the public about the efficacy of plastics recycling. This legal move, spearheaded by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, aims to hold the company accountable for its alleged role in exacerbating the global plastic pollution crisis.

The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court, contends that ExxonMobil engaged in a prolonged campaign of deception regarding the recyclability of plastics. This legal action is particularly significant as ExxonMobil is a major producer of synthetic materials used in plastic manufacturing. The case also scrutinizes the company's promotion of advanced recycling, also known as chemical recycling, as a solution to plastic waste.

Recent studies indicate that only a small percentage of plastic produced globally is actually recycled. Worldwide, the recycling rate is estimated at 9%, while in the United States, it falls to a mere 5-6%. These figures starkly contrast with the perception of widespread recyclability that ExxonMobil allegedly promoted.

The global plastic pollution crisis has reached alarming proportions. A recent study revealed that Earth's oceans contain over 170 trillion pieces of plastic. This pervasive pollution problem began to gain attention with the discovery of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 1997, a vast collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. The issue of microplastics, first observed in oceans in the 1970s, has further complicated the crisis. These tiny plastic particles can enter human blood, lungs, and other organs, raising significant health concerns.

California's lawsuit against ExxonMobil is part of a broader effort to combat plastic pollution. On September 22, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that will ban all plastic shopping bags from grocery and convenience store checkouts statewide by 2026. This move follows a global trend of addressing plastic waste, exemplified by actions such as China's 2018 ban on importing most plastic waste for recycling and the UN Environment Assembly's 2022 resolution to end plastic pollution.

The legal action has been lauded by environmental advocates. Judith Enck, a former senior Environmental Protection Agency official and current head of Beyond Plastics, described it as "the single most consequential lawsuit filed against the plastics industry for its persistent and continued lying about plastics recycling."

This case against ExxonMobil, a company formed in 1999 through the merger of Exxon and Mobil, could set a significant precedent for corporate accountability in environmental matters. It highlights the disconnect between the perception of plastic recyclability and the reality of its environmental impact. For instance, while the first plastic bottle was patented in 1973, contributing to the exponential growth of plastic use, the average plastic bag is used for only 12 minutes before being discarded.

As the world grapples with the consequences of decades of plastic production and disposal, this lawsuit serves as a crucial step towards addressing the root causes of plastic pollution. With predictions suggesting that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans by weight, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of plastic production and recycling practices globally.

"For decades, ExxonMobil has been deceiving the public to convince us that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis when they clearly knew this wasn't possible. ExxonMobil lied to further its [record]-breaking profits at the expense of our planet and possibly jeopardizing our health."

This legal action against ExxonMobil marks a significant moment in the fight against plastic pollution, potentially paving the way for more stringent corporate accountability and renewed efforts to address the global plastic crisis.