California has filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, accusing the oil company of deceiving the public for decades about the recyclability of plastic products. The lawsuit is the first of its kind in the U.S. that attempts to hold a major oil company accountable for the environmental pollution caused by plastics.
ExxonMobil, one of the world's largest plastic producers, has, according to the accusation, systematically misled the public about the sustainability of its plastic products – including packaging, disposable cutlery, and beverage bottles. The company is said to have knowingly spread false advertising messages for over half a century to maximize its own profits, despite knowing that recycling is not sufficient to solve the plastic problem.
ExxonMobil misled the public into believing that plastic recycling is the solution to the plastic waste and environmental crisis, even though the company knew this was not possible," said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. "ExxonMobil lied for its record profits – at the expense of our planet and possibly our health.
The lawsuit is based on evidence dating back to the 1970s showing that ExxonMobil and its representatives within the industry had recognized that recycling was not a sustainable solution for plastic waste. Nevertheless, the company continued to fund advertising campaigns that highlighted the recyclability of their products. ExxonMobil did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
These accusations come at a time when plastic is playing an increasingly important role in supporting oil demand. At the same time, the UN is preparing the first binding global agreement to reduce plastic pollution, set for the end of November. This agreement, which is being negotiated in South Korea, is considered to be as significant as the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015.
The global plastic consumption, which drives a significant demand for petrochemical products, is expected to triple by 2060, reaching 1.3 billion tons, according to the OECD. China was the largest plastic producer last year, just ahead of North America, as reported by S&P Global Commodity Insights.
According to the International Energy Agency, the petrochemical sector is the largest driver of oil demand growth over the next four years, while the electrification of the energy and transportation sectors is curbing global oil demand. The plastic sector could account for 10 percent of global emissions by the middle of the century, up from 5 percent in 2019.
California's lawsuit against ExxonMobil follows a 2022 investigation into the role of the fossil fuel and petrochemical sector in plastic pollution. Environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club and the Surfrider Foundation have also filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil containing similar allegations.
State and Local Governments in the USA Intensify Efforts to Hold Companies Accountable for Plastic Waste. Early This Year, New York Attorney General Letitia James Sued PepsiCo, Demanding a Reduction in Plastic Pollution and Compensation for Damages.
Environmentalists and Developing Countries Demand a Cap on Plastic Production Ahead of UN Agreement, Citing Recycling Alone as Insufficient. Meanwhile, Exxon Argues That Production Cap Won't Solve the Issue. The Company Operates a Chemical Recycling Facility in Baytown, Texas, and Produced 11.2 Million Tons of Polyethylene Last Year.
According to the OECD, only about 10 percent of plastic is currently recycled, and to solve the problem, investments in recycling infrastructure would need to increase to 1 trillion US dollars by 2040, up from less than 20 billion US dollars today.
