Palm oil is widely used as a base oil in soapmaking. It creates a hard bar of soap with a creamy stable lather, and is often used as the vegetarian equivalent to tallow because it imparts the same characteristics to the bar of soap. Because of this it is a very popular ingredient in handmade soap.
You might notice that in the list of ingredients on a bar of Glynne’s Soap, palm oil is not there. We have made a conscious choice not to use palm oil because of environmental concerns.
If you keep up with our blog, or know us at all, you know that we are committed to being as green as possible. We recycle, reduce and reuse. We also try to only purchase materials that are also considered environmentally friendly. Palm oil is not one of these materials.
Palm oil is a basic source of income for many of the world's rural poor in South East Asia, Central and West Africa, and Central America. Because of its increasing popularity, more and more rainforests are being destroyed to create more room for the palm plantations. The destruction of the rainforests is harmful to the environment for many reasons:

Significant greenhouse gas emission. Deforestation in tropical areas accounts for 1/3 of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Destruction of the habitats of many endangered species including the Sumatran Orangutan, Sumatran Tiger and African Rhinoceros. With their habitat destroyed, these animals will suffer extinction.

Removal of the natural growth leads to loss of homes, farmland, degradation of food and water supplies and untold other environmental effects.

Because of these concerns, we have decided not to make palm oil an ingredient of our soaps. The Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil is beginning to certify certain palm oil producers as sustainable. Because this is a new system, it is not certain which suppliers are truly using sustainable palm oil. Until the certification process is less confusing, we will continue to stay away from palm oil.
What can you do? There are many things that individuals can do to help increase companies use of sustainable palm oil and to help ensure that the sustainable certification is authentic. Palm oil is used in many food products as well as beauty products. Write to the companies that make these products and insist that they use certified sustainable palm oil. Discontinue using any products that contain palm oil. Let all your friends and family know the destruction that is being caused by the increasing demand for palm oil. Every little bit helps.
Watch this short video about an orangutan that befriends a dog. It's very cute, and has a great message!

I'd love to hear your comments about the environmental impact of the increased use of palm oil.
Keep it clean!
Jenn