The US state of California is starting a major investigation into possible plastic pollution by large petrochemical companies. The industry has been perpetuating “the myth that recycling can solve the global plastic problem” for decades, the state says.
“Enough is enough,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “The truth is that the vast majority of all plastic cannot be recycled.” Only 9 percent of all plastic can be recycled, the rest is buried, incinerated or ends up in the environment.
As a result, according to Bonta, people consume “a quantity of plastic of 5 grams, comparable to a credit card” every week. This happens through the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe, the attorney general said. The state wants to investigate whether laws have been broken by the petrochemical industry.
As part of the large-scale investigation, Exxon Mobil has been subpoenaed by the state to answer questions about its role in potentially misleading people. The company itself denies the allegations. “We share community concerns and we work with governments, including the state of California, communities and other industries around the world to support projects that improve waste management and recycling,” the company said.
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