Cosmetics company makes palm-free soaps to protect orangutans

LUSH Cosmetics switched all of its soap production to a new palm-free base in North America, and it is also using palm-free glycerin in an effort to protect the endangered orangutans of Borneo. According to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the animal is now one of the 10 most threatened species in the world, and the organization claims at the current rate of loss, it is possible they will become extinct within 10 years.

WSPA says the species' diminishing numbers are due to illegal logging and fires set to clear the land for palm-oil production that destroys the rain-forest habitat of the tree-dwelling orangutan. The organization says when homeless, the apes migrate in search of food, but if seen near palm-oil crops, they are shot or beaten by plantation workers who fear their crops will be eaten.

LUSH's ultimate goal is to remove palm oil from all of its products, and it is currently investigating its surfactants, which might be palm-oil derived.

To browse some of LUSH's new palm-free soaps, visit its Web site.