ETHICAL
PALM OIL
Is there such a thing?
Yes, and Dr. Bronner’s is proof! Dr.
Bronner’s believes it’s not what you
grow, but how you grow it that matters
– Palm oil itself is not the problem;
it’s the exploitative and unsustainable
farming of ANY crop.
That’s why they source certified
organic and fair trade palm oil from
small-holder farms in southern Ghana,
through their own sister company,
Serendipalm.
With rapid expansion of oil palm
plantations in Southeast Asia causing
large-scale environmental degradation
and social deprivation, it was imperative
to the company that they find a source
for palm oil that did not cause new
deforestation as a result of the growing
or harvesting process, endanger crucial
habitats or impoverish communities.
Dr. Bronner’s began their search for
a sustainable and socially responsible
source of palm oil in 2006. With support
from the NGO Fearless Planet, they
found partners in Ghana’s rural Eastern
Region near Asuom. Serendipalm built a
small-scale palm oil mill using traditional
processes, but with better facilities
and more efficient, safer equipment. Dr.
Bronner’s then began recruiting local
smallholder farmers for conversion
to regenerative organic agricultural
practice that increases biodiversity,
enriches the soil and helps combat
climate change.
Since the mill began production
in 2008, Serendipalm has become
the world’s most respected fair trade
and organic palm oil project. It works
exclusively with smallholder farmers
and is the largest local employer in an
area that has traditionally provided few
reliable jobs. Furthermore, fair trade
practices implemented by Dr. Bronner’s
allow workers and farmers to receive
fair prices and wages, as well as fund
community-led projects to improve
health, education and infrastructure.
Why do Dr. Bronner’s use certified
organic & fair trade palm oil in their bar
soaps?
Certified organic and fair trade palm
oil is a primary ingredient in Dr. Bronner’s
Pure-Castile Bar Soap. When saponified,
palm oil gives the bars their hardness
and stability while maintaining a smooth
and emollient lather that won’t dry your
skin – qualities they’ve been unable to
match using other oils.
The bar soaps are 100%
biodegradable and come in a 100% post-
consumer recycled wrapper.
Visit www.drbronner.com.au for more
information about Dr. Bronner’s fair trade
partnerships.
36 Complete Health