Oil producing crops are extensively cultivated in many parts of the world. Consumers are rightly concerned about the potential for impacting wildlife habitat resulting in reduction of biodiversity. Furthermore, the local populace have not always been consulted or adequately compensated for appropriated land. Hence, the need for an organization to establish rules and procedures for sustainable palm oil production. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is the organization taking on that responsibility world-wide.
Palm oil is used in many products, not only the candles hand-poured by Lightworks Candles, but in food, soaps and cosmetics. Palm oil’s ability to maintain its properties under high temperatures makes the oil highly desirable both as a cooking oil and for candles. Furthermore, it is a high-yielding oil crop producing 4-10 times more oil per area of cultivated land than other oil-bearing crops. Typically, half as much land is needed to produce the same amount of product as other oil-producing crops.
Simply replacing palm oil with another product is not a sustainable option. In addition to its efficiency as a crop and desirable characteristics as an oil, some 4.5 million people depend upon its cultivation to lift their families out of poverty.
RSPO provides criteria to which companies must adhere in order to earn the organization’s certification. Criteria include no clearing of primary forests with significant biodiversity or of lands of important cultural heritage to indigenous peoples.
Lightworks Candles’ palm wax supplier is a member of the RSPO.
To learn more about RSPO’s criteria for certification, click:
Palm oil is used in many products, not only the candles hand-poured by Lightworks Candles, but in food, soaps and cosmetics. Palm oil’s ability to maintain its properties under high temperatures makes the oil highly desirable both as a cooking oil and for candles. Furthermore, it is a high-yielding oil crop producing 4-10 times more oil per area of cultivated land than other oil-bearing crops. Typically, half as much land is needed to produce the same amount of product as other oil-producing crops.
Simply replacing palm oil with another product is not a sustainable option. In addition to its efficiency as a crop and desirable characteristics as an oil, some 4.5 million people depend upon its cultivation to lift their families out of poverty.
RSPO provides criteria to which companies must adhere in order to earn the organization’s certification. Criteria include no clearing of primary forests with significant biodiversity or of lands of important cultural heritage to indigenous peoples.
Lightworks Candles’ palm wax supplier is a member of the RSPO.
To learn more about RSPO’s criteria for certification, click:
