Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ekilby/12627253363
Shopping Guides
Do you have a smartphone? If you have an android or iPhone, you can download the apps below that will make avoiding palm oil and/or purchasing products that contain RSPO certified palm oil that much easier when shopping! Just download these free apps and use them to find out if an item you are considering purchasing contains palm oil. If so, check the alternatives list and consider purchasing an item free of palm oil!
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (includes RSPO products)Note: There are many RSPO products on this list and you can read our newest blog post to get our perspective on recent events regarding the RSPO. Some people may choose to buy RSPO certified products, so we've elected to keep that info here for them.
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El Paso Zoo scannerScan items before you buy them with this new app by placing the center screen over the bar code. The app will let you know if your item contains palm oil or any of its pseudonyms!
**This scanner no longer seems to be available, but we will keep the link active in case the scanner is updated. |
Buycott App |
Printable Guides
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With the Buycott App you can choose Palm Oil as a campaign. Then when you scan a product it will tell you if there are conflicts with the product you are considering purchasing and your campaign.
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If you don't have an android or iPhone, no problem! Just print out one of these shopping guides which will tell you which products to avoid and which are safe in terms of sustainable (RSPO certified) palm oil!
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Palm Oil Free and/or Sustainable Candy
(because candy isn't just for Halloween)!
I Can't Believe It's Real Butter!
Try Blue Bonnet Butter! It has zero cholesterol, zero trans fats, and no palm oil! Products come in regular, light, soft, and light soft spreads to cater to your preferences.
Do You Like Cookies?
Many cookie products, especially gluten free cookies, contain palm oil. Try this recipe for some delicious cookies that are easy to make and are Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, and Palm Oil free!!
"NOTE: You can also use a chocolate coconut butter like this one to fill the cookies if you'd prefer." |
Palm Oil Free Anti-Wrinkle Cream!
"It must be stated that there are palm oil companies that buy previously deforested land (logged or cleared for other purposes) that otherwise would lay barren as dry abandoned wasteland, and do indeed plant palm tress and manage them in a sustainable manner, thereby producing oil that may be considered eco-friendly, sustainable and in some cases even part of fair trade practices." --Aveda
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These operations also create employment for local people and prevent poverty, as well as provide a means for the earth to possibly (eventually) renew itself. In turn, such companies may sell their palm oil to manufacturers of consumer products, including eco-friendly beauty brands, and are therefore a good choice. Nevertheless, it must be emphasized that the makers of organic shampoo, sulfate free shampoo, anti wrinkle cream formulas, and some of the best skincare products (and household cleaners), have the responsibility to make it clear to consumers that their palm oil is ethically sourced – otherwise how is anyone to know." Watch the video below to learn how one company does it!
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Items to Avoid, Sustainable Options, and Approved Companies
DIY Guides to Avoid Palm Oil Altogether
Okay, Okay, we know what your'e thinking. All of the products and lists on this page are promoting the purchase of RSPO certified products and not necessarily those that do not have palm oil in them. So, what if you're one of those people, who like us, isn't quite sure about the RSPO yet and want more information, and in the meantime, still want to avoid palm oil as much as possible? Well, if you live in Australia or New Zealand, that would be easy. Folks there have been working on this issue much longer than many groups in the US and have put together incredible lists like the one here which helps people avoid products that contain palm oil all together. But what about those of us living in the US? Well, sadly, no such great list like this yet exists for us (that we could find anyway - if you know of one, please email us and let us know - which is why we are currently working on compiling one of our own) but we have put together a few resources for you in terms of how to make your own palm-oil free household cleaning supplies, toothpaste and shampoos. Do it yourself, you'll not only save money, but will be helping do your part to curb the abuses of the palm oil industry.
Vegan 'butter'
http://christinacooks.com/living-the-well-life/palm-oil-free-vegan-butter
Household Cleaning Products
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/natural-doityourself-cleaning-solutions-79170.html
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-cleaning-spring-cleaning-460303
DIY Toothpaste Recipes
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/04/rethinking-oral-health-care-a-homemade-toothpaste-recipe-for-tooth-remineralization.html
http://www.tammysrecipes.com/homemade_toothpastehttp://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/natural-beauty-fashion/stories/3-simple-homemade-toothpaste-recipes
DIY Shampoo and Conditioner
http://wellnessmama.com/3701/how-to-make-natural-shampoo-easy-recipe/
http://hair.allwomenstalk.com/fantastic-natural-homemade-shampoos
http://hair.allwomenstalk.com/fantastic-natural-homemade-shampoos
Vegan 'butter'
http://christinacooks.com/living-the-well-life/palm-oil-free-vegan-butter
Household Cleaning Products
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/natural-doityourself-cleaning-solutions-79170.html
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-cleaning-spring-cleaning-460303
DIY Toothpaste Recipes
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/04/rethinking-oral-health-care-a-homemade-toothpaste-recipe-for-tooth-remineralization.html
http://www.tammysrecipes.com/homemade_toothpastehttp://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/natural-beauty-fashion/stories/3-simple-homemade-toothpaste-recipes
DIY Shampoo and Conditioner
http://wellnessmama.com/3701/how-to-make-natural-shampoo-easy-recipe/
http://hair.allwomenstalk.com/fantastic-natural-homemade-shampoos
http://hair.allwomenstalk.com/fantastic-natural-homemade-shampoos
What's Scarier than Ghouls, Ghosts and Goblins?
Palm Oil in Your Halloween Candy!!!
If you don't like the idea of contributing to the palm oil industry's destruction of forests, animal habitats, human rights violations and poor health (I mean, really, WHAT could be scarier that that??!!) then we have a tool for you! Check out this guide to Halloween candy that either do not contain palm oil or use RSPO certified palm oil, put together by the Rain Forest Action Network (RAN).