The Truth About Plastic Recycling: What Big Companies Don’t Want You to Know

For years, we’ve all heard the same message: recycling plastic is good for the planet. You buy your water bottle, use it, and toss it into the recycling bin, feeling like you’ve done your part. But what if the whole system wasn’t as green as we’ve been led to believe? That’s exactly what California’s lawsuit against ExxonMobil is about. The state is claiming that ExxonMobil—a major player in plastic production—misled the public for decades, promoting recycling as the solution to plastic waste while continuing to ramp up production.

California’s lawsuit exposes the ugly truth: less than 5% of plastic is actually recycled, despite those reassuring little symbols on your packaging. The rest? It’s piling up in landfills, floating in our oceans, and breaking down into harmful microplastics. This isn’t just about plastic bottles anymore—it’s about a system designed to hide the real environmental damage caused by single-use plastics.

The fight against plastic pollution is intensifying, and understanding the depth of this issue is the first step toward real change. Want to stay informed about the latest in eco-friendly practices and take meaningful steps toward sustainability? Sign up for EcoBlvd’s newsletter to get updates, tips, and stories that can help you reduce your plastic footprint.

Plastic Recycling Myths: The Corporate Deception

ExxonMobil, along with other major plastic producers, has long sold the idea that recycling would solve the plastic waste problem. Starting in the 1980s, when public concern over plastic waste grew, ExxonMobil launched aggressive campaigns, promoting the idea that plastic could be easily recycled. They assured the public that plastic, much like glass or metal, could be broken down and turned into new products, effectively “closing the loop.”

The reality, though, is far different. Most plastics, particularly the types used for food packaging, plastic bags, and water bottles, cannot be economically or practically recycled. ExxonMobil and similar companies were aware that only a small fraction of plastics could actually be reused. Yet, they continued to push the narrative that plastics are easily recyclable, while continuing to increase production.

Here’s What They Claimed vs. What’s Actually Happening:

• Claim: Plastics are highly recyclable, and consumers can help the environment by recycling more.
  
• Reality: The majority of plastics are either not recycled at all or can only be recycled once before being too degraded to be reused. This includes popular consumer plastics like PET (#1 plastic used for bottles) and HDPE (#2 used for containers). Only a fraction is turned into new products.
  
  
• Claim: The industry’s focus on recycling will reduce plastic waste.
  
• Reality: Since the 1980s, plastic production has continued to skyrocket, from 50 million tonnes in 1976 to over 368 million tonnes in 2019. This massive increase in plastic production has far outpaced any recycling efforts, flooding the environment with plastic waste.
  
  

By pushing these myths, ExxonMobil created a sense of complacency among consumers. Many people believe that by simply recycling, they are doing their part. But the truth is that the system was never set up to effectively recycle the bulk of plastic waste. The vast majority of plastic ends up in landfills, incinerators, or our oceans.

Why is ExxonMobil Being Sued Now? Plastic Production is Higher Than Ever

If plastic recycling has been a myth for decades, why is ExxonMobil being sued now? The timing of California’s lawsuit has everything to do with the alarming rate at which plastic production has increased—and the mounting evidence that recycling is not solving the problem.

Plastic production is still on the rise, reaching an all-time high. While recycling has barely made a dent in the plastic crisis, the world’s reliance on plastic continues to grow. The problem has become so severe that it's no longer possible to ignore the gap between what companies like ExxonMobil promised and what’s really happening. The lawsuit specifically targets ExxonMobil’s role in perpetuating the myth of recycling while knowingly ramping up plastic production.

Where is All This New Plastic Going?

• Landfills: The majority of the plastic produced ends up in landfills. The U.S. alone generates over 35 million tons of plastic waste annually, with over 26 million tons going directly to landfills.
  
  
• Oceans: Approximately 8 million tons of plastic end up in oceans each year, contributing to massive environmental damage. Plastic debris is found in every corner of the world’s oceans, from the surface to the ocean floor.
  
  
• Developing countries: Many wealthy countries ship their plastic waste to developing nations, where it is often improperly managed. This leads to even more pollution, as much of the plastic waste is burned or dumped into rivers and oceans.

Plastic production continues to rise because it’s profitable for companies like ExxonMobil. However, the global plastic crisis has reached a point where consumers, governments, and environmental groups are demanding accountability. The lawsuit represents a shift in how plastic production and recycling are being scrutinized, making it harder for companies to hide behind the illusion of sustainability.

Advanced Recycling: Another Greenwashing Tactic

When confronted with growing criticism over plastic waste, ExxonMobil and other companies shifted the narrative to focus on so-called “advanced recycling” or chemical recycling. This was presented as a breakthrough technology that could break down plastic into its original materials, allowing it to be reused indefinitely. But like traditional recycling, this concept has fallen short in practice.

California’s lawsuit against ExxonMobil highlights the failure of advanced recycling, stating that it’s more a greenwashing tactic than a real solution. Despite the promises of turning plastic back into raw materials, only a fraction of plastic that enters these systems is actually recycled.

What ExxonMobil Claimed vs. The Reality of Advanced Recycling:

• Claim: Advanced recycling can break down plastic and turn it into raw materials, solving the recycling problem.
  
• Reality: Advanced recycling processes are energy-intensive, require costly infrastructure, and have a low success rate. According to the lawsuit, less than 8% of plastic that enters advanced recycling is turned into usable products. The rest is either burned or disposed of.
  
  
• Claim: Advanced recycling will reduce the need for virgin plastic production.
  
• Reality: Plastic production continues to rise, with more plastic being produced every year than can ever be recycled. Instead of reducing plastic production, ExxonMobil has used advanced recycling as a PR tool to deflect criticism, all while continuing to increase output.
  
  

Advanced recycling may sound promising, but it’s largely a smokescreen. It’s another example of how corporations use greenwashing tactics to distract from the real issue—overproduction of plastic. The solution isn’t just finding new ways to recycle—it’s reducing the amount of plastic we produce in the first place.

What Are California's Laws on Plastic Recycling?

California has long been at the forefront of environmental action, particularly when it comes to addressing plastic waste. The state’s recent moves highlight its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of plastics and holding corporations accountable for misleading recycling claims.

One of the most significant recent measures is California’s 2024 ban on plastic shopping bags at grocery stores, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. Starting in 2026, California will completely prohibit the use of plastic shopping bags at grocery stores, replacing the “paper or plastic” question with a clear directive: bring your own reusable bags or opt for paper.

This builds on an earlier 2014 law that banned thinner, single-use plastic bags but allowed thicker, “reusable” plastic bags, which were still often disposed of rather than recycled. This new ban eliminates even those thicker bags, emphasizing the state’s push to reduce single-use plastics altogether.

The plastic bag ban is a crucial part of California's broader plastic waste management strategy, which includes stricter recycling regulations and the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, signed into law in 2022. This act mandates that all single-use packaging and foodware sold or distributed in California must be recyclable or compostable by 2032. It also requires a 25% reduction in the use of single-use plastics, focusing on minimizing waste at the source rather than just relying on recycling.

Why Is This Important?

While these laws are a major step forward, they also highlight a significant challenge: plastic recycling alone is not enough.

Despite these efforts, less than 5% of plastics are actually recycled, which is why California has shifted its focus from relying on recycling to encouraging reduction and banning certain plastics altogether. The state is targeting single-use plastics and pushing for more stringent measures because the existing recycling system—one largely shaped by corporations like ExxonMobil—has failed to deliver on its promises.

The ban on plastic bags at grocery stores is symbolic of California's wider strategy to reduce plastic waste and expose the misleading recycling narratives promoted by big corporations. Instead of allowing companies to continue greenwashing their practices, the state is pushing for systemic change that reduces the need for plastics altogether.

Why Small Businesses Are Leading the Charge on Real Plastic Solutions

While large corporations like ExxonMobil have failed to address the plastic waste crisis, small businesses are stepping up to offer genuine solutions. These companies are not just talking about recycling; they’re actively reducing plastic use and creating products that use post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic—a far more effective and sustainable material than the ones promoted by big corporations.

PCR plastic comes from materials that have already been used by consumers (like water bottles, plastic bags, and packaging). Instead of virgin plastic (which is new, petroleum-based plastic) or industrial scrap, PCR focuses on giving discarded plastics a second life. It’s a key element in the circular economy—where waste is continuously repurposed into new products, reducing the need for new plastic production.

Examples of Small Business Innovations:

• Package Free Shop: This retailer specializes in zero-waste products and has become a leader in reducing plastic use. Their offerings include sustainable packaging solutions and personal care products made from repurposed materials.
  
  
• Plaine Products: This company creates refillable, reusable personal care products like shampoo and lotion. They focus on eliminating single-use plastics by encouraging consumers to return their containers for refills, which are then sanitized and reused.
  
  
• Rothy’s: Known for their stylish shoes made from recycled plastic water bottles, Rothy’s transforms post-consumer plastic into durable, long-lasting footwear. They’ve repurposed millions of bottles that would otherwise end up in landfills.
  
  

By using PCR and other sustainable materials, these brands are challenging the traditional, profit-driven plastic industry. Unlike ExxonMobil, which relies on greenwashing, these businesses are transparent about their impact and committed to reducing plastic waste.

Hidden Flame Retardant Risks in Recycled Plastics—and How EcoBlvd Protects You

EcoBlvd’s Sustainable Phone Cases: How PCR Plastic Stands Apart

At EcoBlvd, we believe in real solutions to the plastic crisis, which is why our Revive phone cases and Reforge phone cases for iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are made from ReMerge, our post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. This material comes from plastic waste that has already been used by consumers, such as water bottles, plastic bags, and food containers, which are collected, cleaned, and repurposed.

Unlike virgin plastic, which is made from fossil fuels, or industrially recycled plastic, PCR plastic offers a more sustainable solution. It reduces the need for new plastic production, and unlike the ineffective recycling processes used by companies like ExxonMobil, PCR plastic can be recycled multiple times.

Why PCR plastic is different:

• More recyclable: PCR plastic can be recycled more than once, unlike many types of plastic that degrade after one cycle of use. This means our phone cases can be recycled again at the end of their life cycle, helping to keep plastic in use longer and out of landfills.
  
  
• Less environmental impact: By using post-consumer materials, we lower the demand for virgin plastic, reducing the environmental footprint of our products. PCR plastic helps reduce the overall production of new plastics, unlike ExxonMobil’s approach, which relies on increasing production.
  
  
• Supports a circular economy: Using PCR plastic contributes to a circular economy, where plastic waste is continually reused and repurposed. This not only reduces waste but also encourages more sustainable production practices.

At EcoBlvd, we’re committed to creating products that are both functional and environmentally responsible. By using PCR plastic in our phone cases, we’re taking real steps to reduce plastic waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Conclusion:

California’s lawsuit against ExxonMobil has exposed decades of corporate deception about plastic recycling, revealing that the vast majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills, oceans, or incinerators. Despite the recycling myths perpetuated by large corporations, only a small fraction of plastic is ever truly recycled. However, companies using post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, like EcoBlvd, are leading the way with real solutions that reduce waste and support a circular economy.

By incorporating PCR plastic into products like our Revive phone cases and Reforge phone cases, we help reduce the demand for new plastic production and offer a more sustainable path forward.