Plastics Waste Probe Ensnares ExxonMobil
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has subpoenaed ExxonMobil, as part of what is considered to be a first-of-its-kind broader investigation into the petroleum industry for its alleged role in causing a global plastic pollution crisis.
Landwebs
California attorney general Rob Bonta has subpoenaed ExxonMobil, as part of what is considered to be a first-of-its-kind broader investigation into the petroleum industry for its alleged role in causing a global plastic pollution crisis, reports the Associated Press. Bonta accuses the industry of promoting the development and use of petroleum-based plastic products while seeking to minimize public understanding that their widespread use harms the environment and public through “greenwashing” efforts emphasizing their recyclability.
His investigation will consider whether petrochemical companies violated the law with what he called their “historic and ongoing efforts to deceive the public.” Companies may have violated laws barring unfair competition, deceptive business practices, or making “greenwashing” illegal. A civil lawsuit could potentially seek fines or damages, or ideally a legal order or settlement requiring companies to clean up plastic waste, make plastics manufacturing changes and promote “non-deceptive ways of talking about plastics.”
