Monica Orona sent a message to Bob Sasser that said:
Dear Bob Sasser,
I am writing this letter as an environmentalist who is concerned about Dollar Treeâs recent listing in an article by the Union of Concerned Scientists. According to the article, Dollar Tree has exhibited poor consideration for the use of ethical and deforestation free palm oil.
The unethical production of palm oil is an environmental concern because it involves slash and burn methods of clearing forests. This means native forests are destroyed and endangered species such as orangutans are killed off in large numbers. Furthermore, workers at these plantations are often subjected to unethical labor practices and are not paid fairly. Cities and towns nearby the plantations also suffer from health issues related to the smog that is produced.
Several companies such as Kraft, Costco, and Target were also on this list but have made amends with the public and their stockholders by creating plans to commit to more ethical sources of palm oil. This usually involves making a public announcement that outlines the new changes in a transparent manner. Another step is to gain certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
Making a commitment to sustainable palm oil is both ethical and good for public relations. I hope to see the appropriate changes in your companyâs future and wish you the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Monica Orona
