Don’t blink or you’ll miss news from the fast-moving campaign to protect the Paradise Forests! Last week, after Greenpeace campaigning from New York to California, Burger King said it was “thoroughly examining an independent audit related to the sustainability practices of Sinar Mas…and will make a sourcing decision by early next week.” Today, Burger King took a big step forward, announcing that it is in the process of cutting Sinar Mas out of its supply chain.
This is another blow for Sinar Mas, which had hoped its self-commissioned audit would convince corporate customers and the media that it was a sustainable company. But, this obvious exercise in greenwash isn’t going well for them. Not only is the audit limited in scale (applying only to a subsidiary of a subsidiary of Sinar Mas) and limited in scope (examining only a few case studies instead of systemic problems) but it also confirms that Sinar Mas has broken its word and operated illegally.
In its announcement today, Burger King said:
“…the report has raised valid concerns about some of the sustainability practices of Sinar Mas’ palm oil production and its impact on the rainforest. These practices are inconsistent with our corporate responsibility commitments.
As a result, we have decided we will no longer purchase palm oil from Sinar Mas or its subsidiaries. We are in the process of transitioning to a new palm oil supplier for the 176 BURGER KING® restaurants that were supplied by Sinar Mas. In addition, we are notifying our suppliers of our intent to discontinue the use of palm oil supplied by Sinar Mas in the manufacturing of our products.”
As with all corporate commitments, there are still details to work out with Burger King. For example, we need to hear how they are going to handle indirect supplies of Sinar Mas palm oil and whether their rainforest policy will be amended to include commodities like palm oil (it currently only applies to beef).
But, this announcement is certainly good news for rainforests, orangutans, tigers, and our climate!
Thanks to all of you who spoke up and asked Burger King to take action for the Paradise Forests. They listened to you! If you feel inspired, go say “thanks” and encourage them to fully implement their new commitment on their Facebook page.
Now other fast-food restaurants must take action. It’s time for chains like Pizza Hut, KFC, Dunkin’ Donuts and others must take action for rainforests and cut forest destroyers like Sinar Mas out of their supply chains.
for the forests,
-Rolf
