The Truth About Palm Oil in Hospitality: Why Going Palm Oil - Free Matters

Palm oil is in more products than you think. From hand soap and candles to cleaning sprays and cosmetics, it’s used widely in the hospitality industry. But at what cost? We believe the industry must lead by example. That’s why we’ve removed palm oil from all of our hospitality products, because it’s time to choose people and the planet over profit. Let’s explore what palm oil is, why it’s harmful, and how going palm oil-free can benefit both the environment and your business.

What is palm oil?

Palm oil is a vegetable oil made from the fruit of the oil palm tree, grown mostly in Indonesia and Malaysia. It’s cheap to produce, has a long shelf life, and works well in food, personal care, and cleaning products.

Because it’s so versatile, over 50% of supermarket products contain palm oil, including many items used in hotels, spas, and restaurants. These include:

• Soaps and hand wash
• Body lotions and shampoos
• Candles and air fresheners
• Packaged foods and snacks
• Cleaning detergents

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Why is palm oil bad?

1. It’s a major driver of deforestation

The demand for palm oil has caused vast tropical forests to be cleared. This deforestation destroys biodiversity, displaces Indigenous communities, and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide.

UK palm oil consumption alone contributed to over 30,000 hectares of deforestation in 2021, leading to the loss of 71 wildlife species and nearly 6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

2. It threatens endangered species

Palm oil plantations are now one of the leading causes of habitat loss for orangutans, tigers, and elephants. When forests are cleared, these animals are left with nowhere to go. The UK, while far from the tropics, plays a part in this destruction through its imports.

3. It impacts climate change

Deforestation for palm oil releases stored carbon into the atmosphere. Forest loss contributes to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and palm oil is one of the top culprits. By sourcing palm oil-free products, hospitality providers can drastically reduce their climate footprint.

4. It exploits local communities

Large-scale palm oil farming often comes at the expense of Indigenous peoples and local farmers. Land grabs, unsafe labour conditions, and poverty wages are widespread in palm-producing regions. For a socially responsible business, this is a critical supply chain issue to address.

The UK’s palm oil footprint

Even though we don’t grow palm oil in the UK, we consume a lot of it.

• 88% of the UK’s land-use footprint comes from forest-risk commodities like palm oil.
• Only 70% of imported palm oil is certified “sustainable”, leaving a large portion untraceable and potentially harmful.

And here’s what many don’t realise: most “sustainable” palm oil still contributes to deforestation, just at a slower rate. For truly ethical and environmental impact, going palm oil-free is the gold standard.

Why this matters to the hospitality industry

A growing number of UK consumers are becoming more eco-conscious.

• 60% of Brits actively avoid products with palm oil.
• 28% believe palm oil should not be used when sustainable options exist.

By removing palm oil, hotels and restaurants can appeal to these values, showing they care not just about profit but about people and the planet. Switching to palm oil-free products in guest bathrooms, kitchens, and spa areas is a simple but powerful step toward sustainability. It shows leadership, builds brand trust, and differentiates your property in a competitive market.

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Our commitment to a palm oil-free future

We understand the importance of responsible sourcing. That’s why we’ve completely eliminated palm oil from our hospitality product lines.

This includes:

• Palm oil-free soaps.
• Ethical candles made from plant wax
• Transparent sourcing of all ingredients

Our commitment goes beyond ingredients. We’re building a business model that prioritises:

• Circularity – reducing waste in our production and packaging
• Biodiversity protection – keeping forests intact and habitats safe
• Community support – avoiding exploitative supply chains

For us, sustainability is more than a trend. It’s a responsibility. You can learn more here.