California Sues ExxonMobil Over Plastic Deception

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a landmark lawsuit against ExxonMobil, accusing the company of a decades-long campaign of deception regarding the recyclability of plastics. The lawsuit alleges that ExxonMobil misled the public by promoting the myth that single-use plastics were recyclable, while knowing that less than 5% of plastics are actually recycled. Bonta claims this misinformation has exacerbated the global plastic pollution crisis, causing significant environmental and health damage. The state seeks to hold ExxonMobil accountable through civil penalties and an abatement fund to address the harm. ExxonMobil has denied the allegations, arguing that the state’s recycling systems are ineffective and defending its advanced recycling technology. This lawsuit follows a two-year investigation and is the first of its kind targeting a major corporation for its role in plastic pollution.