Federal government to look into single-use plastics ban: source

Circular economies are in the spotlight following the shockwaves of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the tilt in security, travel and transportation, and business operations, the focus is on how we fortify and better use our own resources. As we work to more sustainably manage finite resources and decrease pollution in our shrinking space, there is an opportunity to create economic growth through end-market development.

It is not difficult to understand why palm oil has grown in importance over the past centuries. Palm can be harvested year-round. Its yield per hectare is twice that of soy, rapeseed and sunflower combined. It is also the most multitalented of vegetable oils: it is used in various consumer retail food products (from pizza to candy bars), cosmetics and personal care products (from lipstick to shampoo), biofuel and pharmaceuticals, among many others.

How much does sustainability matter to the average diner? We all know that so-called ethical consumerism has had a major impact on retail, but less seems to be said about it in the hospitality trade.  However, a survey carried out a few years back found that nine out of 10 people said they would be more likely to go to a restaurant that publicised its environmental impact and the provenance of its food. Moreover, a huge 95% said they expected sustainability issues to exert even more of an influence on their decision-making in the future, while two-thirds even said they would be prepared to pay more for a meal if a restaurant could demonstrate its green credentials.