Sustainable Palm Oil

Many people are unaware of the hidden fats and oils in supermarket and skincare products and therefore may be unknowingly contributing to environmental destruction and putting the health of their families at risk.  

(Source)

Palm oil is linked to rapid loss of biodiversity when produced unsustainably. It is found in around 50 per cent of packaged foods at the supermarket but is mostly hidden under the guise of ‘vegetable oil’.

The Poetry team so happened to be visiting the Melbourne Zoo one day and visited the Elephant Barn (they were very happy to hear that in 2024 the elephants will be relocated to a 21-hectare Elephant Trail in Werribee with their three new Asian Elephant (and endangered) cute babies. We were also excited to hear about the zoo's campaign.

#DontPalmUsOff

(credit: Melbourne zoo)

My point in telling you this is that not only are orangutans' lives endangered, but so are elephants and their habitat. A zoo worker was speaking about how supermarket products that read "Vegetable Oil" in their ingredients often use unsustainable palm oil in their products. This is also the case for skincare products that have ingredients that are Palm Oil derivatives from unsustainable sources that often go undetected.

 

Where we are at

Our supplier being the largest processor and supplier of fats and oils to Australia takes a proactive approach in addressing and responding to a wide range of consumer issues, including ecological and environmental concerns.

One such proactive measure is membership and involvement in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). This organisation audits and certifies suppliers based on their level of sustainability and traceability and is a not-for-profit global association formally established under Article 60 of the Swiss Civil Code. By taking a multi-stakeholder approach, the Roundtable provides a unique forum for the pragmatic cooperation, consideration and promotion of sustainable production and use of Palm oil.

We have worked closely with our suppliers to learn more about the supply chain of our ingredients. We discovered that some of the ingredients we use are more likely to be palm oil derived than from coconut. These ingredients include a surfactant and an emulsifier.

Our supplier imports significant volumes of Palm Oil from Peninsula Malaysia and procures Palm Oil from well-established plantations, many of which would have been converted from existing rubber plantations over two decades ago. As such, there are no implications of present or planned rainforest destruction in these areas.

Our supplier has no contracts with plantations in Borneo or Sumatra for the supply of Palm Oil.

 

Our Goal

Is to be Palm free and free of its derivatives and to only use Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) ingredients from segregated supply chains.

While we are supporting the awareness and education of Palm Oil and its environmental and social effects, we use sustainable Palm Oil derived ingredients in one of our products that helps to emulsify, preserve and bind ingredients.

Part of our ethos at Poetry is to be 100% transparent and accountable. Every action counts!

If you have any further questions please:  contact us.