California sues ExxonMobil for alleged decades of deception around plastic recycling

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🗞️ Driving the news: California has filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, accusing the company of misleading the public about the effectiveness of plastic recycling for decades
• The lawsuit claims Exxon promoted plastic recycling to protect its profits while knowing most plastic cannot be recycled effectively

🔭 The context: The lawsuit follows a two-year investigation into the role of fossil fuel and petrochemical companies in the plastic waste crisis
• Despite Exxon’s claims, only around 5-6% of plastic is recycled in the U.S., with most ending up in landfills or incinerated

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Plastic production, largely fueled by fossil fuels, drives climate change and contributes to severe environmental pollution
• This lawsuit highlights the need to address the plastic waste crisis at its source, including deceptive corporate practices

⏭️ What's next: The lawsuit seeks to end ExxonMobil’s alleged deceptive practices and demands civil penalties for the damage caused by plastic pollution in California
• The outcome could set a precedent for holding corporations accountable for their role in the environmental crisis

💬 One quote: “For decades, ExxonMobil has been deceiving the public to convince us that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta

📈 One stat: Only around 9% of the world’s plastic is recycled, with U.S. rates even lower at 5-6%

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