Majority of US Voters Support Holding Plastics Industry Accountable for Recycling Claims

A growing number of Americans, including 54% of Republicans, are in favor of legal action against the fossil fuel and plastics industries for allegedly deceptive recycling claims, according to new polling data. This comes amid increasing scrutiny of these industries' role in the global plastic pollution crisis.

The poll, conducted by the Center for Climate Integrity (CCI) and Data for Progress, reveals that 70% of American voters back legal efforts to hold the industries accountable. The survey highlights widespread concern about plastic waste, with 63% of respondents, including majorities from all political affiliations, expressing serious worry about plastic pollution in waterways and communities.

Plastic producers have long promoted recycling as a solution to plastic waste, despite internal knowledge that it is not a viable large-scale solution due to its complexity and cost. These revelations have sparked calls for legal action, though no lawsuits have yet been filed. The poll indicates that most Americans support litigation to address this issue, with 88% of Democrats, 66% of independents, and over half of Republicans in favor.

Misleading Recycling Symbols

The poll also shed light on the deceptive use of the "chasing arrows" symbol, often seen on plastic products. Despite its association with recyclability, many items bearing the symbol are not recyclable. A majority of respondents, including 57% of Republicans, agreed that this practice is misleading. Furthermore, 50% believed the symbol to be deceptive even when used on products that are technically recyclable but not commonly recycled in practice.

Industry Scrutiny and Potential Lawsuits

Comparisons between the plastics industry's promotion of recycling and other industries' disinformation campaigns, such as those of the tobacco and opioid sectors, have further fueled public calls for accountability. Sixty-eight percent of voters believe the plastics industry should be held responsible for the plastic waste crisis, and 59% feel the same about the fossil fuel industry.

Despite efforts by the plastics industry to promote itself as part of the solution through investments in recycling technologies and policy advocacy, critics argue that the focus on recycling has been used to deflect responsibility from the real issue of plastic overproduction. The poll coincides with rising legal pressure on the industry, including an ongoing investigation in California targeting fossil fuel and petrochemical companies, notably ExxonMobil, for their role in exacerbating plastic pollution.

As scrutiny grows, voters appear increasingly unified in their demand for transparency and accountability, regardless of political affiliation. If California's investigation leads to a lawsuit, it would mark a historic legal challenge against the plastics and fossil fuel sectors for their handling of plastic pollution.