Indonesia orangutan forest cleared for 'carbon-neutral' packaging firm
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Jakarta: An investigation has revealed that vast tracts of Indonesian rainforest, vital for endangered orangutans, were cleared for plantations supplying Asia Symbol, a maker of ‘carbon-neutral’ packaging.
Despite the company's ‘no-deforestation’ policy, timber from areas where nearly 30,000 hectares were felled was traced to a mill supplying its Chinese facilities. This timber was used in packaging for global brands like Panadol and Sensodyne.
Following these findings, the British pharmaceutical giant Haleon announced it would cut ties with Asia Symbol. While the clearing was legal under Indonesian government permits, locals report devastating impacts, including severe flooding and the loss of traditional livelihoods.
Critics have labeled Asia Symbol’s sustainability claims as ‘greenwashing," noting that such pledges have allowed its parent company to access billions in green credit while deforestation continues.
This case underscores the challenges of verifying environmental claims within complex global supply chains.
Photo Credits: AFP
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