Why The Natural Soapworks uses sustainable palm oil

The Natural Soapworks is delighted to announce that we are now using an organic palm oil from a sustainable source in Columbia.   Palm oil is an ingredient in our soaps, which helps to make a harder bar so it lasts for longer.    So what's the significance of it being from a sustainable source, you may wonder? Well this palm oil is a lot more expensive than what we've used before, but we think the extra cost is worth it (and please be reassured that we won't be passing this cost onto our customers!)

The problem with palm oil sourced from the Far East, is that it tends to be grown on palm plantations which have been planted after the rain forest has been cut down and burnt. This is causing catastrophic damage to the environment, and as the forests are destroyed it means that the local animals die too. Palm oil is in many products on our supermarket shelves (e.g. crisps, cakes, chocolate, biscuits, cosmetics, detergents, soaps etc), with more problems on the horizon due to the interest in bio fuels. Unless action is taken, more and more habitat will be destroyed and ultimately this could lead to the extinction of many animal species.  

When we discovered that even in a small way we were contributing to such destruction, we decided to act quickly to find some palm oil that is grown in a responsible and sustainable way, that doesn't endanger the environment. We hope our customers appreciate that we can all help, and as consumers should try to find products that have sustainably sourced palm ingredients within them.  

 

Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) UK 

One of the worst things that we discovered about palm oil, was the impact it is having on the orangutan populations in Sumatra and Borneo. There is a serious risk that one of our closest cousins will be wiped out within 10 years. Since our soap is "orangutan friendly", we contacted Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) UK, to see how we could help.     

This very worthwhile charity works to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned orangutans in Borneo, whose mother's are killed as the rainforest is cleared. BOS's work, led by Lone Droscher Nielsen, was featured in the Orangutan Diary screened on the BBC in 2007.  We have already adopted 2 orphaned orangutans ourselves, and would encourage our customers to consider supporting this charity too.

In 2008, BOS intends to release close to 100 rescued orangutans back into protected areas of rainforest, so needs more help to sponsor these releases (which can cost between £1,000-1,500 per orangutan). This will free up more space for the steady flow of orphaned orangutans still arriving every week at the project (most of which are rescued from oil-palm plantations). See more by visiting youtube where there is a video about BOS.   

If you want to offer some immediate help, please purchase one of our 'Orang' charity bars of soap. This is a lovely zesty bar (it's a goat's milk soap), and we guarantee that £1 from the sale of each bar will be donated straight to BOS UK so they can contine their fantastic work! Also remember to visit the BOS website