California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued ExxonMobil on Monday, accusing the oil and gas giant of knowingly contributing to \u201cone of the most devastating global environmental crises of our time\u201d while misleading the public about recycling as a solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The much-anticipated lawsuit is the first in which a state has gone after a big plastics manufacturer for environmental harm. It claims ExxonMobil is substantially responsible for \u201cthe deluge of plastic pollution that has harmed and continues to harm California\u2019s environment, wildlife, natural resources, and people.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company \u201cdeceived Californians for almost half a century by promising that recycling could and would solve the ever-growing plastic waste crisis,\u201d and Exxon\u2019s new claims around \u201cadvanced\u201d or \u201cchemical\u201d recycling are more of the same, according to the lawsuit. It cites investigative reporting from Inside Climate News and a raft of other sources, including internal company documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As many as 100 other, yet-to-be-named defendants could be added as Bonta\u2019s investigation continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n