SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Exxon Mobil Corp. has initiated a federal defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, San Francisco Baykeeper, Heal the Bay, and the Surfrider Foundation. This legal action comes several months after Bonta filed a lawsuit accusing the oil and gas company of misleading the public for over fifty years about the recyclability of the plastics it produces.
The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Texas on Monday, asserts that Bonta and the environmental groups engaged in a conspiracy to defame Exxon Mobil by making false statements regarding the efficiency of its plastic recycling technology. Exxon Mobil stated that Bonta, seeking political advantage, and the environmental groups, acting as "pawns for foreign interests," have participated in what it describes as a deliberate smear campaign against the company. They accused the entity of making false claims that Exxon Mobil's advanced recycling technology represents a "false promise" and is "not based on truth."
In their quest for justice, Exxon Mobil is seeking unspecified damages as well as retractions of the so-called "defamatory statements" made by Bonta and the involved organizations. The California Department of Justice responded to the lawsuit, with a spokesperson asserting that it reflects Exxon Mobil’s attempt to distract from its own alleged unlawful behavior. The spokesperson emphasized that Bonta looks forward to "vigorously litigating" the case.
Previously in September, Bonta’s office filed a lawsuit highlighting the grim reality that in the United States, less than 5% of plastic materials are effectively recycled into new plastic products, despite being labeled as "recyclable." This disparity has contributed to a growing plastic waste problem, leading to overflowing landfills and pollution in oceans, as consumers continue to trust the recycling process by placing plastic bottles and containers into recycling bins.
The claims by Bonta underscore the ongoing global pollution crisis attributed to plastics, exacerbated by misconceptions about the efficacy of recycling. This legal battle not only centers on the accusations of misinformation but also reflects broader societal concerns surrounding environmental pollution and corporate accountability.
As the case unfolds, the implications for Exxon Mobil, the referenced environmental groups, and the broader discourse on plastic waste management and recycling will be closely scrutinized. Both sides are preparing for a contentious legal fight, which has the potential to shape public perception and policy surrounding environmental practices and corporate responsibility in the oil and gas industry.
