plastic pollution
Newsletter
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California targets ExxonMobil over plastic pollution
California’s lawsuit against ExxonMobil alleges decades of deceptive practices regarding the recyclability of plastics and highlights the role of fossil fuel companies in rising plastic production.
In short:
- Annual virgin plastic production, largely fueled by fossil resources, is set to triple by 2060, with global recycling rates remaining at just 9%.
- California’s lawsuit accuses ExxonMobil of misleading the public about the effectiveness of recycling and fostering increased reliance on single-use plastics.
- ExxonMobil promotes advanced recycling technology, but critics claim it only addresses a small fraction of the waste problem.
Key quote:
“This kind of lawsuit really cements in people's minds this trend that lots of people haven't been connecting the impact these companies have on the climate crisis to the impact they have in other sectors.”
— Delphine Levi Alvares, global petrochemicals campaign manager at the Center for International Environmental Law
Why this matters:
Plastic pollution devastates ecosystems and human health, exacerbating the climate crisis. Curbing virgin plastic production, linked to fossil fuel reliance, is essential to reducing waste and environmental harm. Efforts like California’s lawsuit could pave the way for global regulatory action.
Learn more: California takes ExxonMobil to court over decades of plastic pollution deception
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Credit: Ministry of Environment - Rwanda/Flickr
Plastic treaty talks falter as nations clash over production limits
Global negotiations in South Korea aimed at curbing plastic pollution ended in deadlock as more than 170 countries failed to agree on whether to limit plastic production or focus solely on waste management.
In short:
- Talks stalled after oil-rich nations resisted measures to cap plastic production, arguing that pollution, not production, should be the focus.
- More than 120 countries, led by Norway and Rwanda, advocated for production cuts and stricter measures to combat plastic waste's impact on health and climate.
- The failure highlights the challenge of reducing reliance on a material integral to modern life and dominated by fossil-fuel interests.
Key quote:
“Colleagues, we didn’t accept a weak treaty here, and we never will. To the 120 nations standing for ambition, I say: Let us be relentless. We may have been delayed, but we will not be stopped.”
— Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez, Panama’s delegation
Why this matters:
Plastic is choking ecosystems, invading our bodies and accelerating climate change. Read more: Every stage of plastic production and use is harming human health.
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Credit: Mark Dixon/Flickr
Leaked documents expose plastic industry’s covert PR campaign
The plastics industry has deployed influencers, misleading messaging and covert tactics to push back against environmental criticism while nations negotiate a global treaty to address plastic pollution.
In short:
- A leaked trove of documents reveals that the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) has funded a covert campaign using influencers and social media to counter environmental concerns about plastics.
- Despite claims of PET plastics being a "zero-waste system," less than 30% of PET bottles are recycled in the U.S., with the remainder contributing to microplastic pollution and environmental harm.
- The campaign’s lack of transparency, including undisclosed sponsorships and misleading messaging, has drawn scrutiny, particularly as global leaders meet to negotiate a treaty aimed at curbing plastic production.
Key quote:
“The campaign’s goal is for this content to be authentic and from the creators’ viewpoints.”
— Lindsay J.K. Nichols, NAPCOR Communications Director
Why this matters:
While international negotiators look for solutions, the industry is doubling down on spin. The playbook is clear — shift the blame onto consumers and push rosy recycling myths — all while sidestepping accountability for the millions of tons of plastic pollution spiraling out of control.
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Credit: Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash
Global treaty to curb plastic pollution faces final negotiations
Delegates from more than 170 nations are meeting in South Korea to negotiate a treaty to reduce plastic pollution, but debates over production caps and enforcement could derail the effort.
In short:
- A United Nations-led meeting in Busan aims to finalize a treaty addressing the plastic pollution crisis, which could nearly triple by 2060 without intervention.
- The U.S. supports voluntary measures but resists binding caps on plastic production, despite the EPA highlighting severe health risks linked to plastic exposure.
- Some nations, including oil-heavy producers, oppose strict limits, while scientists and advocates call for reductions in production and hazardous chemicals in plastics.
Key quote:
“ ... the challenge with plastic isn’t that we don’t know how to live without it — for most uses, we do, or we used to — it’s that the oil, gas, and petrochemical industry has become so powerful that it won’t let us implement the necessary change.”
— Neil Tangri, a researcher with the University of California, Berkeley
Why this matters:
Plastic pollution threatens ecosystems and human health worldwide, with microplastics found in food, water, and even human organs. Without urgent action to limit production, the crisis will exacerbate environmental damage and climate change.
Related coverage: Nations push for global treaty to limit plastic pollution
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Top Story
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Nations push for global treaty to limit plastic pollution
Global talks in South Korea aim to create the first treaty to curb plastic waste, but opposition from oil-producing nations and shifting U.S. leadership complicates the effort.
In short:
- Nations are negotiating a treaty to address the growing plastic pollution crisis, with proposals to reduce plastic production and waste.
- The U.S. supported the talks until Donald Trump’s election, raising concerns about its commitment to any agreement.
- Developing nations and environmental groups advocate ambitious measures, while the plastics industry and oil-producing countries resist limits on production.
Key quote:
“It is actually possible to nearly end plastic pollution with this treaty. It was also sobering to see that without a treaty, plastic pollution will double by 2050.”
— Douglas J. McCauley, professor of ocean science at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Why this matters:
Plastic waste threatens marine life, ecosystems and public health, with microplastics found in food and water. The production and disposal of plastics also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. A strong treaty could offer a critical path toward mitigating these global challenges.
Related: LISTEN: Timnit Kefela on treating plastic pollution as an environmental justice issue
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Opinion: Corporations face mounting costs as plastic pollution crisis worsens
Plastic chemicals threaten public health and could cost corporations more than $20 billion in liabilities by 2030 if no action is taken.
In short:
- Plastics contain thousands of hazardous chemicals, including endocrine disruptors like PFAS and phthalates, which harm hormones and increase risks for cancer, infertility and heart disease.
- Recycling often exacerbates exposure to harmful chemicals, and health care costs from plastic-related issues amount to $250 billion annually in the U.S.
- Financial liabilities from plastic-related pollution could exceed $20 billion in the near term, pressuring corporations to address the crisis.
Key quote:
“The public has been manipulated and the consumer lied to.”
— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General
Why this matters:
Plastic pollution poses a dual threat to public health and global economies. With significant financial risks on the horizon, policymakers and corporations face growing pressure to adopt stricter regulations and reduce plastic production.
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Newsletter
Credit: askarim/Big Stock Photo
Exxon commits $200 million to Texas recycling expansion
ExxonMobil plans a $200 million investment in Texas to boost plastic recycling capacity using advanced pyrolysis technology, aiming to process 1 billion pounds of waste annually by 2027.
In short:
- ExxonMobil will expand operations at its Baytown and Beaumont, Texas, facilities to recycle up to 500 million pounds of plastic waste by 2026.
- The company uses pyrolysis technology, branded as Exxtend, to turn plastic waste into new, "virgin-quality" plastic with certified circularity.
- Exxon faces ongoing litigation from California over claims it misrepresented the efficacy of plastic recycling.
Key quote:
“We sell virgin-quality product, and a subset of our customers are buying a ‘certified circular certificate’ to demonstrate that for every ton that they buy... a ton of post-use plastic was fed into our facility.”
— Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Product Solutions
Why this matters:
The initiative reflects industry efforts to address plastic pollution and promote circular economies. However, questions remain about the scalability and environmental impact of chemical recycling, especially amid legal and public scrutiny over corporate greenwashing.
Related:
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