Companies knew for decades recycling was not viable but promoted it regardless, Center for Climate Integrity study finds

Plastic producers have known for more than 30 years that recycling is not an economically or technically feasible plastic waste management solution. That has not stopped them from promoting it, according to a new report.

“The companies lied,” said Richard Wiles, president of fossil-fuel accountability advocacy group the Center for Climate Integrity (CCI), which published the report. “It’s time to hold them accountable for the damage they’ve caused.”

  • Neato@ttrpg.networkEnglish
    352·
    9 months ago

    Figure out which ones lied. Then figure out the estimated cost of actually recovering and recycling plastics that weren’t recycled. Then take that number, add 20% for “processing fees” and charge it to the companies, split up by their market caps.

    Those companies will then go bankrupt and with the money they tried to pay Uncle Sam, said Uncle can buyout the remainder of the companies that are actually doing something worthwhile and operate them as a public trust.

    • derf82@lemmy.worldEnglish
      9·
      9 months ago

      Oh, we know. NPR had a report a few years where they interviewed someone that helped spread the lies. But this country will never hold corporations accountable.

      The ridiculous thing is they are doubling down on the lie, insisting that this time they will figure out a way to recycle plastic, so just keep buying it.

    • schnapsman@feddit.deEnglish
      86·
      9 months ago

      This is an application of ai that I don’t think people have caught onto yet… Doing the calculation. Everyone and their descendents who got rich screwing the environment and others will pay reparations and the few people who can stop the financial computer network from carrying it out won’t since everyone will want to find out what happens. Ai is capable of orchestrating this reckoning.

      • Neato@ttrpg.networkEnglish
        10·
        9 months ago

        Can AI cite their sources and calculations? For something like this the companies and especially the people will demand hard data proving culpability. I didn’t think AI could do analysis like that.