Green Planet Plastic: Is it Helping the Environment or Causing More Harm?

The Environmental Impact of Green Planet's Bio-Plastic

In recent developments concerning sustainable practices, the environmental network Plantation Watch, consisting of seven organizations focused on forest issues, has released a critical report regarding the bio-plastic product Green Planet® — made from palm oil. Their focus is on the correlation between this product's ingredients and the concerning practices around palm oil production, which are widely recognized for contributing to deforestation and environmental crises.

Stating that they are the forefront of innovation, Kaneka Corporation promotes Green Planet’s marine-degradable bio-polymer as a solution that balances convenience with environmental responsibility. Their partnership with Starbucks, which has replaced paper straws with bio-plastic ones, is hailed as a step toward reducing environmental impact. However, beneath this narrative lies a troubling reality: palm oil, a crucial ingredient in Green Planet, is one of the leading causes of tropical forest destruction, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Key Issues with Green Planet’s Palm Oil

The detailed report from Plantation Watch identifies five essential issues relating to the use of Green Planet products that consumers and businesses should be aware of:

1. Lack of Transparency: Many consumer companies using Green Planet are unaware that palm oil is its primary ingredient. Despite Kaneka’s claims about their product, the company does not clearly communicate this information on their website or to their user businesses. Consequently, companies and consumers aiming for environmentally sustainable practices may unknowingly support palm oil, which is heavily linked to environmental destruction.

2. Deforestation and Human Rights Violations: Palm oil production in Southeast Asia has been an identified key factor in deforestation for over 20 years. It is subject to international scrutiny, with the European Union stepping in to regulate it due to its negative environmental impacts. Reports of land disputes involving local residents and indigenous peoples, as well as forced labor in palm oil plantations, highlight significant ethical concerns. Furthermore, the link between palm oil production and climate change is alarming, as the processes involved lead to vast emissions of greenhouse gases.

3. Ethical Concerns Regarding Edible Palm Oil: Over 80% of the global palm oil supply is used for food, particularly dominating the cooking oil markets in countries like India, China, and Indonesia. By utilizing food-grade palm oil for disposable plastic products, Green Planet exacerbates the ethical dilemma surrounding the utilization of a resource essential for food. This not only creates a new demand but perpetuates a disposable culture that undermines sustainability efforts.

4. Insufficient Sustainable Practices: Although Kaneka claims to adhere to sustainable practices through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the reality is that the majority of palm oil available in Japan is not fully certified sustainable. The mix of certified and non-certified palm oil means that the non-certified oil could still be linked to deforestation and human rights abuses, making the sourcing practices questionable.

5. The Myth of Waste Oil Solutions: Kaneka has initiated the use of waste cooking oil in producing Green Planet products, but this constitutes only a small fraction of the total materials used, heavily relying on palm oil. While the transition to using more waste oil may be a future goal, existing applications for waste oils pose limitations and challenges in scalability.

Conclusion

The pressing need for a reassessment of sourcing practices is evident given the intricate ties between palm oil production and environmental degradation. Market solutions like biodegradable plastics and bio-mass plastics must not become a façade that obscures the adverse effects of palm oil. Plantation Watch implores media outlets to investigate these issues further, urging Kaneka and its user companies to take accountability for their impact on tropical forests and the ocean plastic crises.

This scrutiny is vital as the conversation around sustainability continues to evolve, and stakeholders must prioritize responsible sourcing without falling prey to greenwashing tactics. Only through transparency and genuine commitment to sustainable practices can businesses truly contribute to a healthier planet.

For inquiries, contact:
Plantation Watch Secretariat, Tropical Forest Action Network, Email: jatan.office@gmail.com