Palm oil is used in numerous products. This oil comes from a palm fruit and is a versatile ingredient. Palm oil yields from 4 to 10 times more than other vegetable oils. Because of this, palm oil is in high demand but also causes environmental problems such as deforestation and pollution. In this blog, we talk about what impact palm oil has on the environment and what to look out for.

What is palm oil?

Palm oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree, which grows mainly in countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia.

First, the palm fruit is harvested and then the pulp and kernel are separated, after which the oil is pressed from the kernel using machines. After pressing, the oil is heated and filtered and refined. Once refined, the palm oil is stored and supplied to various industries for use in foods, cosmetics, detergents and more.

What is the impact of palm oil on the environment?

To establish palm oil plantations, many trees have to be cut down. This affects nature, biodiversity and animals. It also affects our health. After all, trees provide our oxygen. We have listed the consequences of palm oil production:

• Deforestation for palm oil plantations
  Massive trees are cut down to make way for palm oil plantations. Huge swaths of tropical rainforest are cut down every year, especially in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. This deforestation leads to the loss of numerous plant and animal species but also affects the health of the climate. Learn more about deforestation in our blog.
• CO2 emissions from deforestation
  In addition to the loss of biodiversity from deforestation, it also contributes to the emission of various greenhouse gases. When trees are cut down, the stored carbon is released, contributing to climate change and global warming.
• Water pollution from palm oil cultivation
  Palm oil cultivation takes place mainly in tropical, rainy regions, so water scarcity is often not a problem. However, pressing the palm fruit requires a lot of water. This pollutes the water. The polluted water is often discharged into the nearest rivers, causing environmental pollution. This can lead to fish kills and put pressure on local food supplies.

What you can do about palm oil

Because palm oil is in a huge number of products, it is often difficult to avoid it altogether. Fortunately, there are several options to reduce its impact on the environment:

• Choose sustainable palm oil
  For example, choose products with an RSPO label. The RSPO label (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) wants only palm oil produced sustainably in the future. A product receives this label when it contains palm oil that is at least 95% sustainably produced according to RSPO guidelines.
• Choose sustainable alternatives
  Choose products made from alternative oils, such as sunflower oil, rapeseed oil or coconut oil, which may be less harmful to the environment.
• Avoid (highly) processed foods
  Consider ready-to-eat meals, as well as treats such as ice cream or chocolate.
• Choose cosmetic products without palm oil
  For example, use cosmetic products with natural and sustainable raw materials.

Avoiding palm oil altogether is extremely difficult. Huge numbers of products in the supermarket contain palm oil. By consciously choosing palm oil-free products as a consumer, you are already doing your bit. Every small step can make a difference.