The US state of California has launched a major investigation into potential plastic pollution by large petrochemical companies. The country says the industry has been perpetuating the “myth that recycling can solve the global plastic problem” for decades.
“That’s enough,” said Attorney General Rob Ponta. “The reality is that the vast majority of all plastic cannot be recycled.” Only 9 percent of all plastic can be recycled, and the rest is buried, incinerated, or ends up in the environment.
As a result, according to Ponta, people are consuming “5 grams as much plastic as a credit card” each 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 the petrochemical industry has broken the laws.
As part of a wide-ranging investigation, the state called in Exxon Mobil to answer questions about its role in potentially misleading people. The company itself denies the allegations. “We share community concerns and work with governments, including California, and other communities and industries around the world to support projects that improve waste management and recycling,” the company said.
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