AOil and chemical companies have been misleading the public for decades with the promise that plastic recycling would be possible. Now, they are promoting advanced recycling. However, environmental advocates claim it’s more of the same greenwash. But, litigators hope that holding companies accountable for past lies could prevent the spread of a better idea.
Rob Bonta, the California attorney general, launched an investigation into ExxonMobil’s role in exacerbating global plastic pollution. Bonta said that he was inspired in part by NPR and Frontline to investigate 2020This showed how ExxonMobil and Dow, Chevron, Dow, and Dupont were well aware of the inefficacy plastic recycling. Yet, they still planned marketing campaigns that told a different tale to the public.
These campaigns often required oil companies to remove themselves from the story. Even climate activists forget that plastic, which is made of petroleum or ethane (a side effect of fracking), contributes to the climate crisis. Bonta claims that his investigation began with ExxonMobil, as they have been a leader in the plastics industry as well as in messaging around recycling. A Last year’s report from Mindaroo FoundationIt was found that only 100 companies produce 90% plastic pollution worldwide. ExxonMobil was named the world’s top single-use plastic producer.
In a statement responding the investigation ExxonMobilIt stated that it is focused on solutions such as building the first commercial-scale advanced recycling technology. These meritless accusations distract from the important collaborative work being done.
Advanced recycling has, however, so far produced little to no results.
This process, also known as chemical recycling and pyrolysis, involves using different chemical processes in order to turn plastic into other materials. The most common method is to heat plastic at high temperatures to make a low-grade fossil fuel. This can then be used as a fuel or as a feedstock to make more plastic.
Although the technology is still in its infancy and there are no studies yet, early studies have shown that it is more expensive than other methods of plastic recycling and that it is difficult to collect and recycle many types of plastics. It does not provide any environmental benefits. This is due to the fact that it is used to create fuel or more plastic. However, the process itself is highly polluting. One study The findings of a study commissioned by plastic producers themselves showed that advanced recycling produced more greenhouse gases than either burning or disposing of plastic.
The American Chemistry Council, a trade organization for the chemical sector, has been pushing advanced recycling ever since China closed its borders in 2018 to plastic. The group has also been lobbying state government to exempt their recycling processes from various environmental regulations. 18 states currently have laws that either sidestep certain government oversight, or designate advanced recycling facilities eligible for subsidies.
It’s part of a strategy ex-Exxon lobbyist Keith McCoy called “getting ahead of government intervention” in a video interview with Greenpeace-funded investigative journalism website UnEarthed2021. McCoy was interviewed by the journalists while they worked as corporate recruiters. McCoy spoke about different lobbying strategies for climate change. McCoy revealed that the issue is going be disposal and recycling, in previously unpublished portions. These portions were shared with Guardian. McCoy also mentioned that the ACC has been focused almost exclusively on this issue, as [federal regulators]We are discussing banning plastics, and a lot of that has to do with plastics in oceans and waterways.
A new report The groups Beyond Plastics, and The Last Beach Cleanup reported this week that plastic recycling rates in America have actually declined since 2018. They dropped from their highest point of 9% in 2018 to less than 6% today. This compares with a paper recycling rate of 66%.
They finally admit that recycling doesn’t work, Beyond PlasticsJudith Enck spoke out about groups such as ACC and its members, who have been lobbying against environmental protections. It doesn’t work as planned. This is not surprising. They knew it wouldn’t work.
The plastic pollution crisis is not likely to end. Bonta pointed out that the fossil fuel sector has encouraged the growth of plastic over the years. He stated that this is their plan B in order to reduce the use fossil fuels for transportation and buildings. This is also what the International Energy Agency said, predicting that plastic production will double by 2040 and be the largest growth market for the oil sector over the next ten years.
McCoy pointed out that ExxonMobil, his former employer, was uniquely equipped to handle the increased scrutiny of plastics since they could use the same strategy as they used for climate change. He said that you want to be smart about it because you know it is coming.
Dr Rebecca Altman (ecologist and author of the forthcoming book, An Intimate History Of Plastics), is an environmental sociologe who points out the history of Standard Oil, Exxon’s forefather, in the creation of the modern petrochemical sector. Mobil Oil introduced the plastic grocery bags.American stores. Altman said that they commercialized this and took on paper bags, which was the last remaining paper product in US supermarkets by the 1970s.
Mobil was also involved in the PR battles the chemical and energy industries had to fight in the 1970s. The [petrochemical]Industry was trying to figure out how to show their positive value. Altman stated that positive advertising was the key to unlocking the potential of the industry. Altman also said that Altman worked behind the scenes on energy policy, and dealt with the first wave environmental legislation. This huge recycling boom was also evident in the 1980s-90s.
Bonta said he would love to see advanced recycling work but that it is just words on paper right now. A 2021 Reuters investigationThere were many examples of failed advanced recycling programs. Of the 30 projects that were operating around the globe, most were either still operating on an insignificant scale or had closed down. More than half of them were also years behind schedule with commercial plans. A report According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, advanced recycling is not environmentally friendly even when it works.
Bonta claims that his inquiry will cover not only the industry’s past statements about recycling, but also how advanced recycling is being promoted today. The inquiry could be expanded to include trade groups or companies like the ACC. He said, “Well, we’ll just go with the flow of the documents.” Bonta is open to the possibility that the investigation could become a case. He stated that we were not investigating only to investigate.
