ExxonMobil has taken legal action against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several environmental groups, asserting that they conspired to defame the company regarding its plastic recycling initiatives. The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Texas, comes after Bonta accused Exxon of misleading the public about the recyclability of its plastics for decades.

The oil giant contends that Bonta’s lawsuit characterized its practices as a part of a long-standing “campaign of deception,” which has adversely affected its business reputation. According to a report by the Associated Press, Bonta claimed that less than 5% of plastics are actually recycled into new products in the U.S., despite misleading labeling.

ExxonMobil's lawsuit targets Bonta, the Sierra Club, San Francisco Baykeeper, Heal the Bay, and the Surfrider Foundation, accusing them of collaborating in a deliberate smear campaign against its advanced recycling technology. The company is seeking unspecified damages and retractions of what it describes as “defamatory statements” made by these parties.

In response, a spokesperson for the California Department of Justice stated that ExxonMobil's actions are merely an attempt to shift the focus from its own alleged wrongful practices. The spokesperson emphasized their office's commitment to fight the case, viewing it as vital accountability and making it clear that “the Attorney General is proud to advance his lawsuit against ExxonMobil” (The Hill).

Furthermore, environmental advocates have condemned ExxonMobil's lawsuit, labeling it as a tactic to intimidate those who challenge its practices. Jonathan Berman of the Sierra Club expressed fierce opposition, stating, “Exxon is clearly confused about the difference between defamation and accountability,” portraying the oil company’s legal maneuvers as an effort to silence legitimate advocacy for environmental health.

This lawsuit marks a significant turn in a legal strategy by the fossil fuel sector, as companies like ExxonMobil appear to increasingly confront perceived slurs against their business methodologies with litigation.