WASHINGTON - Oil and gas company ExxonMobil allegedly contributed to the plastic waste and pollution crises by spreading deceptive messaging about plastic recycling, according to a lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of California on Monday, reported Sputnik.
"ExxonMobil, the largest producer of plastic polymers used to manufacture single-use plastics, caused or substantially contributed to the deluge of plastic pollution that has harmed and continues to harm California’s environment, wildlife, natural resources, and people,” the filing said.
ExxonMobil produces the largest amount of plastic that becomes plastic waste in California, the filing said. The company has also deceived Californians by promising that recycling would solve the plastic waste crisis, the filing said.
ExxonMobil knew that the amount of plastic waste would continue to increase and pollute the environment, the filing said.
Californians are "paying the price” for cleanup and environmental costs of plastic production, the filing added.
The lawsuit requests a jury trial to decide whether ExxonMobil should pay civil penalties, change its messaging and contribute to an abatement fund. - BERNAMA