Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has responded to a recent ruling by the Sacramento County Superior Court, which supports the enforcement of an investigative subpoena against the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). The subpoena was issued by the California Department of Justice as part of an investigation into the role of fossil fuel and petrochemical industries in contributing to plastic waste and pollution.

Attorney General Bonta stated, "In California and across the globe, plastics are everywhere. Plastic pollution is seeping into our waterways, poisoning our environment, and wreaking havoc on our health. The plastics industry has knowingly engaged in an aggressive, decades-long campaign to deceive the public, perpetuating a myth that recycling can solve the plastics crisis. We are pleased with the Court’s decision to grant our petition to enforce our investigative subpoena against PLASTICS. We are looking forward to vigorously pursuing our investigation."

The investigation began in 2022 and seeks documents from PLASTICS related to the feasibility of recycling and their campaigns on plastic recyclability. These documents have been stored at Delaware's Hagley Library and were publicly accessible for research purposes over several decades. The state aims to uncover historical insights into what the plastics industry knew about the environmental harm caused by plastics.

On May 28, 2024, Attorney General Bonta filed a petition with Sacramento County Superior Court to enforce compliance with this subpoena. The court dismissed PLASTICS' defense that First Amendment rights protected these documents since they had been made available for public access previously. As per the court's order, PLASTICS must fully comply with the subpoena by April 25, 2025.

A copy of the petition is publicly available for review.