California AG sues Exxon over alleged lies about plastics pollution
California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) on Monday filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, alleging that the company has engaged in a decades-long effort to mislead the public about the recyclability of plastics.
Bonta, on behalf of California's Department of Justice, accused the corporation of deceiving Californians for half a century with deceptive public statements and marketing tools that positioned recycling as a solution to a burgeoning plastic waste problem.
Through the lawsuit, filed in the San Francisco County Superior Court, the attorney general is aiming to compel ExxonMobil to end its allegedly deceptive practices, while also securing an abatement fund and civil penalties for harm caused to the community.
“Plastics are everywhere, from the deepest parts of our oceans, the highest peaks on earth, and even in our bodies, causing irreversible damage — in ways known and unknown — to our environment and potentially our health,” Bonta said in a statement.
“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," the attorney general continued.
The lawsuit describes ExxonMobil as "the largest producer of plastic polymers used to manufacture single-use plastics," adding that the company has "ramped up plastic production and deceptively promoted recycling as a cure-all for plastic waste."
The complaint goes on to allege that the company "has aggressively promoted the development of fossil-fuel-based plastic products and campaigned to minimize the public's understanding of the harmful consequences of these products."
Today's recycling capabilities are insufficient to contend with the volumes of plastic generated, the lawsuit contends, accusing the corporation of "knowing full well" that these solutions were inadequate.
"ExxonMobil lied to further its record-breaking profits at the expense of our planet and possibly jeopardizing our health," Bonta said.
"Today’s lawsuit shows the fullest picture to date of ExxonMobil’s decades-long deception, and we are asking the court to hold ExxonMobil fully accountable for its role in actively creating and exacerbating the plastics pollution crisis through its campaign of deception,” the attorney general added.
In a separate plastics-related move on Sunday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill into law that will prevent grocery stores from providing customers with plastic bags, beginning in 2026.
As for Bonta's lawsuit, environmental groups applauded the attorney general's decision to file the complaint against ExxonMobil.
“This is the single most consequential lawsuit filed against the plastics industry for its persistent and continued lying about plastics recycling,” Judith Enck, president of the Beyond Plastics NGO, said in a statement.
“The plastics industry has known for decades that — unlike paper and glass and metal — plastics are not designed to be recycled and therefore do not achieve a high recycling rate," Enck continued. "Yet, the industry made every effort to convince the public otherwise while profiting off the planetary crisis it created."
Julie Teel Simmonds, a senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity, echoed these sentiments, describing petrochemical companies as "shamelessly polluting profiteers."
"Every corner of the world is infiltrated by plastic pollution and we’re all carrying microplastics in our bodies," Simmonds added.
A spokesperson for the American Chemistry Council (ACC) — an industry trade group that represents plastics manufacturers — said that because ACC isn't named in the lawsuit, an inquiry would be "best directed to ExxonMobil."
"For decades, California officials have known their recycling system isn't effective. They failed to act, and now they seek to blame others," an ExxonMobil spokesperson said in a statement. "Instead of suing us, they could have worked with us to fix the problem and keep plastic out of landfills. The first step would be to acknowledge what their counterparts across the U.S. know: advanced recycling works. To date, we’ve processed more than 60 million pounds of plastic waste into usable raw materials, keeping it out of landfills. We’re bringing real solutions, recycling plastic waste that couldn't be recycled by traditional methods."
— Updated at 3:54 p.m.
Date: | |
Tag: | California |
Topics
-
The New York Times - Top stories
California Sues Exxon Over Plastics Pollution and Recycling ‘Myth’
The lawsuit, seeking ‘multiple billions of dollars,’ opens a new front in the legal battles with oil and gas companies over climate and environmental issues.24 minutes ago - California -
The Guardian - World
California sues ExxonMobil over alleged role in plastic pollution crisis
First-of-its-kind suit comes as climate experts claim that fossil fuel producers are deceiving public about plastics. California has filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against ExxonMobil for ...5 hours ago - California -
CBS News - Top stories
California lawsuit alleges Exxon misled consumers about plastics recycling
Less than 10% of plastics in the U.S. are recycled.3 hours ago - California -
Financial Times - Business
California accuses Exxon of misleading public on plastic recycling
Allegations arrive as plastics play a growing role in supporting oil demand4 hours ago - California -
The Guardian - World
ACCC sues Coles and Woolworths over allegations of ‘illusory’ discounts on common products
Competition watchdog alleges supermarkets briefly increased prices on hundreds of products before placing them in discount promotions. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates ...17 hours ago -
ABC News - Top stories
Hundreds sue over alleged sexual abuse in Illinois youth detention centers
More than 200 men and women allege they were sexually abused as children while in custody at youth detention centers in Illinois34 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Newsom signs California plastic grocery bag ban
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill Sunday that will prevent grocery stores from providing plastic bags to customers beginning in 2026. The legislation comes 10 years after the state ...7 hours ago - California
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Wyden presses hospitals for answers about delayed or denied emergency abortion care
A top Senate Democrat is pressing hospitals in states with abortion bans about how they are complying with a federal emergency care law, following reports about women who need emergency ...21 minutes ago - Abortion -
The Hill - Politics
Coalition pushes lawmakers to sign 'No Dictators Declaration' in wake of immunity decision
A bipartisan coalition is pushing for lawmakers to sign a declaration to combat possible abuses of power by the president in the wake of a Supreme Court decision giving former executives broad ...34 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Trump accuses DOJ, FBI of ’mishandling and downplaying’ assassination attempt
Former President Trump on Monday accused the Justice Department and FBI of “downplaying” the second apparent assassination attempt against him this year, suggesting the case should be left to ...56 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Harris leads Trump by 5 points in Pennsylvania: Poll
Vice President Harris is leading former President Trump in the swing state of Pennsylvania, according to a new Spotlight PA/MassINC poll. Harris is winning 49 percent support in the poll, compared ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Harris tops Trump by 5 points in Minnesota: Poll
Vice President Harris leads former President Trump by 5 points in Minnesota, according to a poll released Monday. Harris garnered 48 percent support from registered voters in the North Star State ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump