The Use of Palm Oil

Whilst we use palm oil in our soaps, we are more than ever committed to the survival of rainforests worldwide. For more than 10 years have we sourced our palm oil from a long established, sustainable plantation and although the quantity we use may be considered insignificant, the recent devastation of forests is a great concern to us.
 
The modernization of Asia, along with western consumerism, has created a massive increase in palm oil use for cooking, processed food manufacturing and bio-fuel. Large scale clearing of important ecosystems to grow palm has been the disastrous result.  Adding to this, the Institute of Public Affairs (www.ipa.org.au) suggests that well-meaning protests against palm oil could exasperate the deforestation problem. The concern is if high yielding palm production is blocked, especially for bio-fuels, it will be replaced with other lower yielding crops taking up more land to produce less. 

Our belief is the use of palm oil and other unsustainable crops for biofuel production should be completely banned on an international level as palm does not meet the minimum sustainability standard set by the European Commission.  Rape and soy also fail to meet the standard.

Under the standard, a litre of biofuel should reduce emissions by at least 35 per cent compared to burning a litre of fossil fuel.  Yet a British government study shows that palm oil increases emissions by 31 per cent because of the carbon released when forest is turned into plantations.¹  Controlling the push for biofuels would eliminate the need to clear forests.
 
We care about orangutans! Our supplier assures that no orangutans have been harmed in the manufacture of the palm oil we use. Refreshed Lemon Myrtle is currently developing a sponsorship program for orangutans displaced by new forest clearing because we really do care.
 
Until we find a viable alternative, we do not wish to discontinue using minimal quantities of this wonderful natural resource whose reputation has been ruined by corporate industries increasing its demand and fostering irresponsible farming practices.

¹B. Webster, London; The Times.  The Australian 2.3.10




The palm oil we use is sourced from a long established eco sustainable plantation. We are committed to dedicate a percentage of profits from the sale of our products to support orangutan adoption programs.

Our Growing Family

DODO (male)
Wanariset, Samboja Reintroduction Project, Borneo

IRVINE (female)
Camp Leaky, Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesia