California has filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, accusing the oil giant of engaging in a decades-long campaign of deception regarding plastic recycling. The suit alleges that ExxonMobil, along with other industry players, knowingly promoted the myth of widespread plastic recycling while actively undermining efforts to create a truly circular economy for plastic.

The lawsuit, filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, focuses on ExxonMobil’s role in perpetuating the “recycling myth” through misleading advertising and lobbying efforts. It claims that the company, despite knowing that only a small percentage of plastics are actually recycled, continued to promote the idea that plastic waste could be easily and widely recycled. This, according to the lawsuit, led to a massive increase in plastic production and consumption, with devastating consequences for the environment and public health.

The suit further alleges that ExxonMobil actively lobbied against policies designed to promote genuine recycling solutions and instead pushed for policies that prioritized plastic production and disposal. This, the lawsuit claims, resulted in a “culture of waste” that has led to plastic pollution accumulating in our oceans, landfills, and even our bodies.

The lawsuit seeks financial penalties for ExxonMobil’s alleged deception and demands the company take steps to promote genuine plastic recycling solutions. The suit also points to the economic harm inflicted on California’s economy due to plastic pollution. This landmark lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of plastic production and recycling and may inspire similar legal actions against other companies involved in the plastic industry.