The use and consumption of plastic is a nearly inescapable part of everyday life, impacting the entire planet, including microscopic organisms, marine life, wildlife, and humans. Plastic pollution is everywhere, and shockingly, just 20 companies account for more than half of all single-use plastic waste generated worldwide.A new report published earlier this month from the Center for Climate Integrity (CCI) reveals a long-standing campaign of deceit and fraud orchestrated by petrochemical companies responsible for the majority of plastic waste. These companies have misled the public about the recyclability of plastics, exacerbating the plastic waste crisis. The report presents compelling evidence that could be used to hold fossil fuel and other petrochemical companies accountable for their actions and their enormous contribution to the plastic waste crisis.According to the report, CCI outlines how fossil fuel and other petrochemical companies deceptively promoted recycling as a solution to plastic waste management for over 50 years, despite internal documents painting a much different picture and showing that plastic recycling is neither technically nor economically viable on a large scale.The report argues that the fundamental problem with plastic recycling is that it doesn’t exist—at least not  in the way the public has been led to believe. The majority of plastics cannot truly be “recycled.” They have never been recycled, and without substantial redesign and innovation, they never will be. In reality, plastics can only be “downcycled” once, rarely twice. As of 2021, the US recycling rate for plastic is estimated to be only 5-6%.