Ecolabel – a label on products signifying that its ingredients have been produced sustainably an not through deforestation – is definitely a good idea.
Many environmental and sustainability organisations have endorsed the concept and called for its implementation.
For the example; Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and Roundtable Sustainable Palm Oil are two organisations that continuously promote sustainable production while a lot of NGO keep watching companies to ensure its sustainability process.
But is it an idea that works in Indonesia? Is the Indonesian consumer aware enough to select products that bear the label, or are they indifferent and ignorant to the point that the ecolabel on products might as well be stuck on the moon?
Ever curious on whether good intentions actually translate into something workable, The Palm Scribe took to the streets to interview at random the targeted decision-makers that would benefit most from the Ecolabel – the housewife.
Here’s what we found:
The response was also fair considering the limited number of domestic products carrying the ecolabel. Among the few examples of domestic products carrying the label are Mother’s Choice margarine, Redondo and Rondoletti wafers.
Meanwhile among imported products carrying the ecolabel in line with RSPO requirements, are L’Occitane and Daelmans Mini.
Tulus Abadi who chairs the Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI) is urging producers to carry the ecolabel to encourage a sustainable consumption pattern. “Eco-labelled products are very important for consumers to encourage a sustainable consumption pattern for them. All products should have an ecolabel certification,” Abadi told The Palm Scribe.
RSPO has launched a campaign on the importance of buying environmentally-friendly products in Indonesia. This campaign is also directed towards the young generation so that they would be aware of the importance of consuming environmentally-friendly products for the sake of a better future.