WildWash and Palm Oil
WildWash’s Pledge to Palm Oil
In an era where mindful consumer choices are gaining momentum, it’s crucial to illuminate the global impact of palm oil use in everyday products. At WildWash, we are steadfast in rejecting palm oil from our supply chain and investing in premium solutions for our eco-friendly products. While we strive for a palm oil-free line, current constraints necessitate the use of some palm oil-derived ingredients but with more palm-free materials available we are making lots of progress. Our commitment to transparency underscores the importance of sharing this journey with our customers, inspiring others to join us in making a positive societal impact.
WHAT IS PALM OIL?
Palm oil, in its essence, is a vegetable oil derived from the fruit of oil palm trees, primarily the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and the American oil palm (Elaeis oleifera). This versatile oil is a crucial ingredient in many products we encounter daily, from food items and cosmetics to cleaning agents and biodiesel.
The widespread use of palm oil can be attributed to its cost-effectiveness. It’s highly efficient to produce, as the oil palm tree yields more oil per acre compared to other oil crops like soybean or canola. This cost advantage has made palm oil a popular choice for manufacturers aiming to keep production expenses down.
However, while palm oil’s economic benefits are undeniable, it comes with significant environmental and social risks.
WHY SAY NO TO PALM OIL?
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Deforestation and Habitat Destruction
Palm oil cultivation is a leading cause of
deforestation, which leads to habitat destruction and threatens the survival of
many endangered species. The lush rainforests that house diverse ecosystems are
being cleared to make way for palm oil plantations.
LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY
The expansion of palm oil plantations often results in the loss of critical biodiversity hotspots. Many unique species are at risk of extinction due to the destruction of their natural habitats.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The process of clearing land for palm oil production, as well as the drainage of peatlands, releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Human Rights Violations
Palm oil production has been associated with human rights abuses, including unfair labour practices and displacement of indigenous communities. Cosmetic brands are receiving their supplies of palm oil from plantations where many only earn two dollars a day. Poor working conditions have led to women complaining about nose bleeds, fevers after years of exposure to dangerous pesticides and an inability to deliver healthy children.
DOES WILDWASH USE PALM OIL?
At WildWash, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond mere rhetoric, and it’s in the choices we make that our dedication truly shines. A prime example is our steadfast decision not to incorporate sulphates, specifically Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), all of which are sourced from palm-derived ingredients. This conscious choice sets us apart in the realm of eco-friendly product creation, marking a clear departure from the practices of some of our industry counterparts.
In a market where palm-derived ingredients, including sulphates, are prevalent, our refusal to embrace them underscores our commitment to environmental responsibility. Unlike other companies, we go a step further by completely eschewing the use of sulphates in our formulations. This deliberate choice is not just a testament to our commitment but a bold declaration of our dedication to setting a higher standard for sustainability in the pet healthcare industry.
Transparency is at the heart of our ethos. That’s why we want to share the journey with our customers, acknowledging that while we don’t use palm oil directly, certain ingredients in our products have palm-derived elements. It’s a step-by-step process, and we believe in being open about it.
We embrace the growing demand for sustainability in various aspects, from packaging to water usage. When it comes to choosing sustainable raw materials, questions often arise. Sustainable palm oil is beneficial for the planet, people, and protected species. However, when cultivated unsustainably, it can have adverse effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, and local communities.
Palm oil is an efficient crop, providing more oil per land area than other vegetable oil crops. Globally, it constitutes 35% of the world’s vegetable oil demand, using only 10% of the land. Switching to alternatives is complicated and could lead to a significant increase in land use, potentially causing further habitat destruction.
Understanding the complex nature of the palm oil industry, we are committed to only using Palm Oil when no alternative is possible and then only using RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified raw materials. RSPO ensures global standards for sustainable palm oil production, including no deforestation, no new planting on peat, and protection of labour and human rights.
We acknowledge the concerns surrounding palm oil and emphasize our duty to make environmentally conscious choices. Although the industry faces challenges, we support RSPO as a simple yet impactful choice. Therefore, we do not use palm oil as an ingredient, reaffirming our commitment to sustainability by consistently choosing RSPO-certified palm derivatives whenever possible.
Although we do not use palm oil in our products, some of our safe synthetics contain palm oil derivates, simply because it’s so hard to find a suitable alternative. In the interests of full transparency, these are:
- Polysorbate 20 (Palm Kernel Oil)
- Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate (Palm Oil/Palm Kernel Oil)
- Glycerin (Vegetable) (Palm Oil/Palm Kernel Oil)
- Lauryl Glucoside (Palm Oil/Palm Kernel Oil)
- Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate (Palm Kernel Oil)
- Sorbitan Sesquicaprylate (Palm Kernel Oil)
- Sodium Cocoamphoacetate (Palm Kernel Oil)
- Glyceryl Oleate & Coco-Glucoside (Palm Kernel Oil)
- Cetyl Esters
- Coco-Caprylate (Palm Kernel Oil)
- Tocopherol (Palm Kernel Oil)
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Palm Oil/Palm Kernel Oil)
- AG17 – Glycerin (Vegetable) (Palm Oil/Palm Kernel Oil)
- Cetearyl Alcohol (Palm Oil/Palm Kernel Oil)
- Stearic Acid (Palm Oil)
We believe honesty is the bedrock of trust, and we are committed to being open about every step we’ll take in this journey to eliminate the harm of palm oil.
WHY CHOOSE WILDWASH?
Choosing WildWash means embracing products crafted with care and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. Your support empowers us to continually reassess, improve, and innovate, ensuring that our dedication to conscious living is not just a promise but an ongoing reality.
As you embark on your own journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle, we invite you to reflect on the choices you make. Together, we can shape a future where mindful decisions pave the way for a better world—one ingredient, one product at a time.
