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California to conclude Exxon plastics probe 'in weeks', AG states

California will conclude a twoyear examination into Exxon and the fossil fuel industry's function in causing global plastic contamination by summer and decide if it will submit a claim versus oil giant, its attorney general of the United States informed on Monday.

The state introduced its examination into the oil and petrochemical industry's function in producing and exacerbating the global plastic waste crisis in April 2022 and subpoenaed Exxon for files.

The plastics examination mirrored similar actions it has taken on climate modification that concentrated on what the industry knew about the issue for years and how it misinformed the general public about its role.

We are soon going to be prepared to get to a choice based upon all of our examinations in the coming weeks, Attorney General Rob Bonta told . The lies and deceit Exxon utilized to cover up the fact about the non-recyclability of plastic is well documented.

Exxon stated it does not talk about ongoing investigations. In 2022, the company called the state's claims meritless. and stated it was concentrated on solutions to enhance waste. management.

Bonta said he had actually planned to go to the start of. negotiations on a global treaty to end plastic pollution, which. begins in Ottawa on Tuesday, but needed to cancel due to scheduling. conflicts.

In an ideal world we might have made a statement in. Ottawa as part of a conversation of where we go from here, however it. didn't exercise, he stated.

California's investigation focused on what it had called a. half-century project of deception by fossil fuel business. who perpetuate myths around recycling.

Bonta stated it had actually also inquired on Exxon's more. recent promotion of its sophisticated recycling innovation, which. utilizes a process called pyrolysis to turn hard-to-recycle plastic. into fuel, as its response to the plastic waste crisis. He stated. the technology's slow development signified Exxon's continuous. extension of deceptiveness.

The business presently has one advanced recycling plant and. is evaluating opportunities in around a dozen advanced recycling. jobs in the U.S. and abroad. It intends to have the capacity to. process 1 billion pounds of plastic waste by year-end 2026.

Exxon signed an agreement in 2021 to team up with. Plastic Energy on advanced recycling in which Exxon agreed to. produce high-quality plastic polymers at its facility in France. Recently Exxon announced it would close that center.

A examination discovered that sophisticated recycling. tasks worldwide had been beleaguered by numerous delays and. failures even as business touted its success.

(source: Reuters)