In this edition: latest updates on the harmful farming of Palm Oil in Peru, find out which companies are lobbying and donating to the major US political parties, find ethical clothes made in Australia, and get a peek at the browser extension we're working on to help you do your online shopping ethically!

Want to discuss these topics with other like-minded people? Join our Facebook group and start a conversation!

Where to put the many wrappers that are part of our everyday food purchases? After the collapse of REDcycle in 2022, repurposing used soft plastics is making a comeback in Australia - see this video summary of the state of play on Instagram. That said, the widespread solutions remain elusive, and the community is still wary of promises without details. Also, some solutions, while technically ‘finding a home’ for our waste, see material 'down-cycled' rather than recycled. This concrete additive is an example. See Choice’s comprehensive update on the state of play on soft plastics in Australia.   

To make a significant difference, we as a community need to rethink how we do packaging. Here's some inspiring alternatives in the future of plastic-free packaging - should we wish to accept it !!!   Integrating new ways of packaging goods without plastic into the mainstream is a first-step in giving options to us as consumers. Yet we can also decide what is acceptable and find our own alternatives. You can reduce the amount of plastic waste in your home by buying in bulk, shopping with your own containers and making your own snacks. 

Palm oil is the most used vegetable oil in the world and can be found in more than half of the products sold in the supermarket. Peru palm oil producer the Ocho Sur group has been linked to over 12,000 hectares of illegal large-scale deforestation. According to the Pulitzer Center report, the operations represent the largest foreign investment in agriculture in the history of the Peruvian Amazon. US businessman Dennis Melka, who is under criminal investigation, passed mature plantations from one firm his company had bankrolled, United Oils, to a second, Ocho Sur. Ocho Sur, despite its sustainable initiatives, was in many respects the same entity as its predecessor.

Take action towards greater transparency and accountability. Shop to support companies committed to sourcing CSPO certified palm oil by using the PalmOil Scan app. See WWF’s Palm Oil Scorecard to find brands committed to a responsible palm oil future. 

In 2024, we welcomed app and web developer Alison to our team and launched a new, improved website. Key upgrades included a better search function, enhanced navigation, streamlined content, and a design that looks great on smaller screens. We also introduced subscriber-only content, including Assessment Search, Browse Assessments, and a new Transport category featuring cars, tyres, and airlines.

We took full control of our iOS and Android apps, releasing monthly app data updates. After a 5-year hiatus, we reactivated our monthly newsletter and made improvements to the products/brand section on company profile pages, now showcasing secondary companies. Additionally, we launched a Facebook group and an Instagram page to further engage with our community.

Thank you to those of you who have subscribed - your support is much appreciated. We hope you are enjoying our subscriber-only content. We have added a new feature for Shop Ethical subscribers. 'Browse Assessments' allows subscribers to choose an assessment category from the navigation bar (such as 'Workers Rights') and see which companies have related praises or criticisms.

You can become a new subscriber through our Patreon page. Our introductory price is $5 per month. As we add more features, the price for new subscribers will increase, so get in quick!