ExxonMobil Sues California AG and Environmental Groups Over Recycling Criticism

The oil giant alleges defamation and foreign influence in response to lawsuits accusing it of misleading the public about plastic recycling.

ExxonMobil filed a federal defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and four environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation, claiming they falsely criticized its advanced recycling technology.
The lawsuit accuses Bonta and the groups of orchestrating a smear campaign for political and financial gain, alleging connections to Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation and its subsidiary, the Intergenerational Environment Justice Fund (IEJF).
ExxonMobil contends that its advanced recycling technology is effective and innovative, disputing claims that it is a 'myth' or 'sham' and stating that these criticisms have harmed its business relationships and reputation.
Bonta and the environmental groups previously sued ExxonMobil in 2023, alleging the company misled the public for decades about the recyclability of plastics, contributing to a global pollution crisis.
The legal battle highlights broader tensions between California officials, environmental advocates, and the fossil fuel industry over accountability for plastic waste and the role of advanced recycling technologies.