The California attorney general has issued a subpoena to Exxon Mobil Corp. in connection with an investigation into “deception” over recycling capabilities.
Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the investigation April 28 at a press conference. His office is looking into whether fossil fuel companies, plastics processors and others deceived the public over the impact that recycling will have on plastic pollution.
Bonta accused Exxon and others (without naming them) of “an aggressive campaign to deceive the public, perpetuating a myth that recycling can solve the plastics crisis.” Only about 9% of all American plastic is recycled, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The recycling rate for PET bottles is about 28%. Bonta estimated that California spends about $500 million a year to clean up plastic pollution.
