News

Dunkin' Brands commits to 100% sustainable palm oil by 2016

September 17, 2014

Dunkin' Brands announced this week its commitment to source only 100-percent sustainable palm oil in the US by 2016. According to a news release, the company will work with its suppliers and its franchisee-owned purchasing cooperative to source palm oil that is 100-percent fully traceable to the mill by the end of 2015, and to the plantation by the end of 2016 for use in Dunkin' Donuts' domestic restaurants.

Dunkin' Brands will develop and publish a phased implementation plan, including mapping its international supply chain, by March 1, 2015. Dunkin' Brands engaged with several nonprofit organizations to develop its palm oil supply plan, which includes formal guidelines for suppliers. The company will continue to work with these organizations to help meet the targets.

Dunkin' Donuts currently uses a blend of palm oil, soy and cottonseed oil for preparing donuts, and has supported a moratorium on palm oil expansion in rainforests and peatlands since 2012.

Christine Riley Miller, senior director of Corporate Social Responsibility, said that sourcing even limited amounts of palm oil irresponsibly can contribute to deforestation, loss of natural habitats and other environmental and human rights concerns.

"Therefore, Dunkin' Brands has created clear guidelines for our suppliers, and to ensure independent verification that our principles are being met, so that by 2016 we can meet our targets of sourcing only responsibly-produced palm oil," she said.

As part of Dunkin's commitment, suppliers will be held accountable to several principles including:

• No development of High Carbon Stock forests and High Conservation Value areas;
• No burning in preparation of land or in development;
• Progressive reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions on existing plantations from all sources;
• No development on peat areas regardless of depth; and
• Respect and no exploitation of people and communities including support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.