California sues Exxon, alleging misled public about recyclability of plastics

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Monday the state is filing a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), accusing the company of misleading consumers about the recyclability of plastic products and the role it plays in polluting the state.

Bonta told Climate Week in New York City the state sued Exxon (XOM) after concluding a nearly two-year investigation that he said showed the company was deliberately misleading the public about the limitations of recycling.

The AG alleges Exxon (XOM) continues to deceive the public in advertising campaigns that claim recycling can fix the plastics pollution crisis, saying the company has “falsely promoted” for decades that all plastic is recyclable, and that 92% of plastic waste Exxon processes through its advanced recycling technology does not become recycled plastic.

The latest lawsuit follows California’s previous probes into the oil industry’s alleged efforts to mislead the public about climate change.

Exxon (XOM) is the world’s largest producer of resins used for single-use plastics, according to a report published last year by the Minderoo Foundation, Wood Mackenzie and the Carbon Trust.