California Attorney General Rob Bonta subpoenaed oil company ExxonMobil in a case of deceiving the public about real damage to plastic products.
US energy giant may be responsible for causing global plastic pollution crisis, writes The Guardian.
ExxonMobil and others in the oil industry have been pushing the development and use of petroleum-derived plastics, according to the state agency. At the same time, they tried to convince the public that these products are environmentally friendly, ecological and completely recyclable.
The California Attorney General suggested that the companies may have violated laws against unfair competition, used deceptive business practices, or resorted to greenwashing.
Rob Bonta also added that the main purpose of the lawsuit — seek a regulation that requires companies to clean up plastic waste, produce greener plastics, and not mislead consumers about plastic products.
ExxonMobil responded by stating that the allegations were unfounded, distracting them from working on solutions. The company also emphasized that they were the first to apply advanced technologies for recycling plastic for recycling.
Before EcoPolitica wrote that the international environmental organization Milieudefensie called on 30 multinational companies reduce carbon emissions. Otherwise, the activists promised to sue them.
