State attorneys general are increasingly filing lawsuits to address plastic pollution and hold companies accountable for misleading recycling claims.
James Bruggers reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Nearly 60 lawsuits have been filed since 2015 targeting the plastics industry for environmental damage and deceptive marketing.
- Recent legal actions by attorneys general in Connecticut, Minnesota, and New York highlight growing state-level efforts to tackle plastic pollution.
- California’s ongoing investigation into the plastics industry’s recycling claims could lead to significant litigation against major companies like ExxonMobil.
Key quote:
"We had been working to enact single-use plastic bans and then we started to see this nurdle problem."
— Andrew Wunderley, executive director of Charleston Waterkeeper
Why this matters:
Many consumers believe they are making environmentally friendly choices by purchasing items with the recycling symbol, only to find out that a significant portion of these plastics end up in landfills or oceans. The plastic waste crisis also poses significant health risks, as microplastics have been detected in drinking water and food supplies, raising concerns about long-term health effects.
By pursuing these lawsuits, state attorneys general aim to enforce stricter regulations on plastic production and waste management. They hope to push companies towards more sustainable practices, such as developing truly recyclable materials and reducing overall plastic use.
