Leading the way on sustainable palm oil

Leading the way on sustainable palm oil

Palm oil is a common ingredient in Sainsbury’s products – from shampoo to biscuits – and we work hard to source it from sustainable sources. After years of hard work, we are proud that 98% of the palm used in our own-brand products is certified sustainable.

Cover of WWF palm oil buyer’s scorecard

The WWF has now applauded our efforts. The conservation charity’s Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard report says we are one of the retailers “leading the way” on sustainable palm oil.

It also gave us nine out of nine on its Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard, which judges businesses on their actions to source sustainable palm oil.

Such responsible sourcing is essential for the future of the planet. Many farmers, predominantly in south-east Asia, rely on growing palm oil for their livelihoods but cultivation has been associated with the loss of forests and habitats for orang-utans and other wildlife.

“Sourcing sustainable palm oil is extremely important for our business.”

Judith Batchelar
director of Sainsbury's brand

Progress on palm oil

To help address these environmental issues, we now use certified sustainable palm oil in more than 1,500 of our own-brand products.

We have achieved a leading market position particularly across non-food health and beauty and household products. For example, in late 2014, we became the first major UK retailer to launch a washing-up liquid using certified sustainable palm oil.

We’ve also developed a labelling system, so that customers know when sustainable palm oil has been used in our products.

98%

of palm oil used in our own-brand products is certified sustainable

Toward more sustainable oil

We’re still working to support more sustainable ways to produce palm oil – and to convert more of our own-brand products to sustainable sources.

This is part of our goal to ensure all our palm oil is sourced sustainably, and our own-brand products do not contribute to global deforestation, by 2020.