Saving Orangutans: The Fight Against Palm Oil Deforestation

Orangutans are losing their natural habitats to palm oil plantations established by large corporations for product manufacturing.

Our mission is to raise awareness about companies harming orangutan populations through excessive palm oil use and highlight alternative products to ultimately help Orangutans worldwide.

Positive

  • Stands out positively for its commitment to not using palm oil and its robust environmental and social responsibility programs, making it a more ethical choice for consumers concerned about sustainability and animal welfare.

  • Focuses on water stewardship, sustainable agriculture, and climate protection. Coca-Cola aims to achieve a 100% collection and recycling rate for every bottle or can it sells by 2030. They also work on reducing their carbon footprint and supporting sustainable farming practices to ensure a positive environmental impact​.

  • Committed to sourcing 100% sustainably certified palm oil, focusing on transparency and ethical sourcing practices. They have detailed policies aimed at preventing deforestation and maintaining biodiversity, positioning them as proactive in environmental stewardship.

  • Known for using natural ingredients and avoiding harmful chemicals, Hello Products are cruelty-free, vegan, and come in recyclable packaging. They focus on sustainability and have received the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance​.

  • Committed to using safe and sustainable ingredients. Native does not use palm oil in its products. Instead, the brand focuses on using naturally derived ingredients that are effective and environmentally friendly.

  • Their focus is primarily on health and wellness supplements, and palm oil is not a common ingredient in such products.

Indifferent

  • Made some efforts to source ingredients sustainably and reduce its carbon footprint, but it continues to use palm oil in some of its products, raising concerns about environmental impact.

  • Produced by Hershey, contain palm oil among their ingredients. Hershey has committed to sourcing its palm oil sustainably and is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

  • Does not use palm oil in its products, making it a reputable option for those looking to avoid this ingredient. However, it is important to note that Yeo Valley is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

  • Uses palm oil, palm kernel oil, and their derivatives in various products such as soap, toothpaste, deodorants, and house cleaners. The company is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and has committed to sourcing 100% physically certified palm oil by 2025.

  • Mondelez has committed to sourcing palm oil sustainably. They are a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and have set policies to ensure that their palm oil is sourced responsibly, aiming to avoid deforestation and exploitation.

  • General Mills is committed to sourcing palm oil sustainably. They are also a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and have established policies and commitments to ensure that the palm oil they use is responsibly sourced. This includes working towards zero deforestation, respecting human rights, and supporting sustainable palm oil production practices.

Negative

  • Uses palm oil in its ice cream products, which has been linked to deforestation and loss of biodiversity in tropical rainforests, contributing to climate change and habitat destruction for endangered species like orangutans.

  • Faced significant criticism for its use of palm oil, which is linked to deforestation and adverse environmental impacts. Investigations revealed that some of PepsiCo's palm oil suppliers in Peru have been involved in deforestation and land conflicts with Indigenous communities.

  • Greenpeace reports that Mondelēz International, the parent company of Ritz Crackers, sources palm oil from suppliers linked to significant deforestation and habitat destruction in Southeast Asia​.

  • Has been criticized for its use of plastic packaging and ingredients like triclosan, which can convert to harmful dioxins in the environment.

  • Uses palm oil derivatives in some of their products. However, like many other brands in the beauty industry, Kristin Ess is committed to ethical sourcing practices.

  • Despite being a member of the RSPO and making commitments to sustainable sourcing, Unilever has faced scrutiny over the effectiveness of its supply chain monitoring and the actual impact on deforestation.

“The survival of the orangutan is a barometer of the health of the forests, and the forests are a barometer of the health of the planet.”

— Dr. Ian Singleton, Director of the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP)