Oceana Applauds California Attorney General for Launching Investigation Into Plastics Industry
Attorney General Bonta to Examine Petrochemical, Fossil Fuel Industries’ Role in Plastic Pollution Crisis
Press Release Date: April 28, 2022
Location: Washington, D.C.
Contact:
Dustin Cranor, APR, Melissa Valliant | email: dcranor@oceana.org, mvalliant@oceana.org | tel: 954.348.1314, 410.829.0726 (cell)
Today, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced an investigation into the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries for their role in causing the plastic pollution crisis that threatens our planet. The investigation will examine these industries’ history of deception and the devastating results it’s had, and continues to have, on the state of California, its environment, and its residents.
In response to today’s announcement, Oceana released the following statement from plastics campaign director Christy Leavitt:
“We’ve been duped for over 50 years by the plastics industry’s multimillion-dollar PR campaigns, which wrongfully blamed individuals instead of companies for the plastic pollution crisis and falsely touted recycling as a panacea when industry executives knew better. The deception behind the plastics industry’s recycling promise is evident on California’s shores and streets, where plastic takeout containers, utensils, and more taint the beauty of the state and threaten its coastal economy and its people. Oceana applauds Attorney General Rob Bonta for launching an investigating into the misleading tactics that plastic producers have used to line their pockets while jeopardizing our oceans and communities.”
Californians are worried about plastic pollution. A recent Oceana survey found that 91% of California voters are concerned about plastic’s impact on the environment and our oceans. This November, Californians will vote on the Stop Plastic Pollution initiative, the most comprehensive single-use plastics policy in the nation to reduce single-use plastic packaging and foodware. In addition, the California legislature is currently considering Assembly Bill 2026 to address the increasing threat of single-use plastic packaging in online sales.
Scientists estimate that 33 billion pounds of plastic wash into the ocean every year. That equates to about two garbage trucks’ worth of plastic entering the ocean every minute. Plastic has been found in every corner of the world and has turned up in drinking water, beer, salt, honey and more. Recycling alone will not solve this problem — only 9% of the plastic waste ever generated has been recycled, and companies continue to push new plastic products onto the market. With plastic production growing at a rapid rate, increasing amounts of plastic can be expected to flood our blue planet with devastating consequences.
To learn more about Oceana’s campaign to stop plastic pollution, please visit usa.oceana.org/plastics.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 225 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit USA.Oceana.org to learn more.
