California Sues ExxonMobil for Deceptive Practices in Plastics Recycling

California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, has filed a civil lawsuit against ExxonMobil, accusing the oil giant of a “decades-long campaign of deception” regarding the effectiveness of plastics recycling. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, claims that Exxon misled the public into believing that recycling could resolve the plastic pollution crisis while contributing to the overwhelming amount of plastic waste.

“For decades, ExxonMobil has deceived the public into thinking plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis, despite knowing it wasn’t feasible,” Bonta stated.

In response, Exxon criticized California’s recycling program as ineffective, asserting that state officials have long been aware of its shortcomings. An Exxon spokesperson noted that the company has processed over 60 million pounds of plastic waste into usable raw materials, claiming to have kept significant amounts out of landfills.

This lawsuit marks the first time U.S. officials have sought to hold an oil or gas company accountable for deceptive claims about plastics recycling. California is pursuing an unspecified amount in damages, which Bonta suggested could reach “multiple billions of dollars.”

“ExxonMobil lied to boost its profits at the expense of our planet and potentially jeopardize public health,” Bonta added. This lawsuit follows a previous action last year in which Bonta sued Exxon and four other oil companies for climate change damages.

The recent legal action stems from a nearly two-year investigation into the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries and their role in global plastic pollution. According to a report by Australia’s Minderoo Foundation, ExxonMobil is the largest producer of resins used for single-use plastics. Bonta’s lawsuit alleges that the company’s so-called “advanced recycling” program was marketed as a solution to plastic waste, while in reality, it has processed only a tiny fraction of the plastic waste it generates, primarily converting it into fuel rather than recycled plastic.

The lawsuit claims that Exxon’s practices violate state laws related to nuisance, natural resources, water pollution, false advertising, and unfair competition. Despite producing over 400 million tons of plastic annually, only 9% is recycled, as reported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2022.