Even a majority of Republicans support efforts to hold manufacturers accountable for allegedly deceptive claims

Even a majority of Republicans support efforts to hold manufacturers accountable for allegedly deceptive claims

Concern about the fossil fuel and plastics industries’ alleged deception about recycling is growing, with new polling showing a majority of American voters, including 54% of Republicans, support legal efforts to hold the sectors accountable.

The industries have faced increasing scrutiny for their role in the global plastics pollution crisis, including an ongoing California investigation and dozens of suits filed over the last decade against consumer brands that sell plastics.

Research published earlier this year found that plastic producers have known for decades that plastic recycling is too cumbersome and expensive to ever become a feasible waste management solution, but promoted it to the public anyway.

  • ByteOnBikes@slrpnk.net
    111·
    2 months ago

    Remember in the 70s when the cigarette industry said their products were safe?

    Remember in the 80s when the candy industry said it was the lack of exercise that was the cause of overweight?

    Remember in the 90s when the gun industry pointed the blame to personal responsibility as the cause of school shootings?

    Maybe just maybe industries can’t self regulate. I can go on.

    • Buddahriffic@lemmy.world
      30·
      2 months ago

      Whistleblowers should be treated like heroes. Like not just protections where the reward is that they get to keep their job working for a company that is probably going to feel hostile towards them, but reward them so that they don’t need to work with that company anymore.

      Publically funded science (done in the interest of the public rather than profit for universities or publishers) should also be ramped up so that it has the resources to examine these questions, too.

      Also, criminal charges for execs that suppress information that prefers profits over safety.

    • Ms. ArmoredThirteen@lemmy.ml
      24·
      2 months ago

      According to my brother, the real issue is that there is too much regulation and it is stifling the ability of ethical companies to break into industries 🙄